Letters | US, China would benefit from having Musk as unofficial envoy

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With Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s various business interests, it would not be possible for him to join the US government full time. Consequently, president-elect Donald Trump has created a new position (more an advisory role) to help improve the efficiency of the government.

However, this could also be an opportunity for an informal channel of communication and dialogue with China, especially since Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of state, has been sanctioned by China. Technically, Rubio cannot enter China even as US secretary of state unless China agrees to some form of special arrangement.

Under these circumstances, Musk, who has close business ties with China, can play an unofficial secretary of state role with China. He can also test out ideas informally before they become formal policies. If this was intended, it is a clever move. Both China and the US should welcome this development.

Persistent discrimination against ethnic minorities has been a problem in Hong Kong. Most recently, a research team from Lingnan University and Baptist University found that on top of employment difficulties, ethnic minority workers also reported experiencing subtle discrimination related to their race, such as backhanded compliments and workplace exclusion.