Your Voice: Cathay incident shows Hong Kong not ready for tourists; give peace a chance in Ukraine (short letters)

Chief Executive John Lee recently launched the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign. It gives away air tickets and gifts, hoping to revive the city’s tourism after three years of isolation due to the pandemic. But I have concerns about the city’s readiness for the world.

One issue is Hong Kong’s “ill-mannered” service. A recent incident involving Cathay Pacific highlights this problem. During a flight from Chengdu to Hong Kong, the cabin crew mocked a passenger for mispronouncing “blanket” as “carpet,” and the audio clip went viral on Chinese social media. Discourteous behaviour is not uncommon in Hong Kong, with many restaurant staff being impatient with customers. There is a need to foster a friendlier environment to make a better impression on tourists.

Another crucial issue is the lack of diversity in tourist attractions. Yet another big shopping centre will not save tourism. What we need are the original colours of Hong Kong, such as its unique neon signs and small businesses that have stood the test of time. While the night view of Victoria Harbour is stunning, as a tourist I would be more inclined to visit Dubai. Hong Kong needs to develop its own unique attractions to stand out from the competition.

Nicholas Ngai, German Swiss International School

I am writing about the recent cross-border attack in the Belgorod region of Russia, allegedly carried out by Ukrainian saboteurs. While Moscow claims that 70 attackers were killed and insists that the attackers were Ukrainian, Kyiv has denied involvement in the attack, and two anti-government Russian paramilitary groups have insisted that they were behind it.

It is deeply troubling to see such violence and instability at the border, and I sincerely hope that both sides can work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has been ongoing since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Since then, fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people. The recent border attack is just the latest development.

It is absolutely essential for both Russia and Ukraine to engage in dialogue and work towards a peace agreement. The international community has a critical role to play in promoting peace in the region. I strongly urge all parties to come to the table and find a way to coexist peacefully.

Ukrainians taught how to make artificial limbs in Germany to help war wounded

Rhea Saxena, King George V School

This year, the Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi released a documentary, Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now. As someone who occasionally experiences anxiety, I found his candid discussion of the pressure he faces from the public to be relatable. He also shares how his Tourette’s syndrome has affected his life, music production and relationships. The documentary’s unadorned editing underscores Capaldi’s raw emotional state throughout the film.

Capaldi’s willingness to discuss his flaws in such an honest manner was inspiring to me. It helped me realise that celebrities and people around the world are grappling with similar issues, which reassured me that I’m not alone. Capaldi revealed that his mental health has suffered as a result of his fame and said that he would quit if things got worse.

This film has sparked many conversations about mental health and well-being. Men’s mental health and well-being, in particular, have been stigmatised. By speaking up and seeking support from professionals and friends, we can begin to destigmatise these issues. Capaldi’s film can serve as a model for others to open up about their own mental health struggles.

Terrence Chan, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

I am writing to express my concern about the dwindling shark population. It is sad to see these majestic yet vulnerable creatures succumb to human ignorance – especially in Hong Kong, where 50 per cent of the world’s shark fins are imported and consumed as a symbol of wealth. It is urgent for us to act, since recent reports show that their population has greatly dropped in the last decade.

We must address how the government regulates the trade of these endangered species and how the trade is even allowed in the first place. The government has currently banned 17 species from being traded. As the biggest importer of shark fins, we must set an example to the world. As Hong Kong citizens, we must protest against the use of shark fins and boycott restaurants that serve them. This would lead to a decline in demand for those products.

Try an alternative to shark fin soup

The other problem is a lack of education. In a survey at our school, only 10 out of 200 participants had an understanding of the issue. To raise awareness of the devastating effects of shark finning, it would be beneficial to launch a yearly campaign to educate the public.