Readers discuss the systemic problems unveiled by the Cathay Pacific discrimination scandal, the city’s international outlook, and what airlines must do to beat the competition

Is Hong Kong airport really international?

I was at the airport in Hong Kong a few days and was so excited to be boarding a plane. I went to buy some alcohol as gifts for friends and the shop staff at CDF were friendly. They asked me to join their loyalty programme. I tried for 15 minutes, but it was all in Chinese so I could not join.

They were embarrassed that there was no English version. I was, too. Is my business not important to CDF? Does Hong Kong not want English speakers?

I then went to three HSBC ATMs to try to withdraw US dollars. They only offered Hong Kong dollars or renminbi. Again, I was disappointed. Does Hong Kong not want international travellers?

I boarded a Cathay Pacific flight where the service was brilliant but again was disappointed when the in-flight entertainment came on and the ad by the Hong Kong Tourism Board did not have a single darker-skinned person. Does Hong Kong really not want people from the darker-skinned world to come?

I’m saddened that Hong Kong is not more inclusive. The government has a role to play. Equal opportunity is not a tagline, it makes commercial sense. If Hong Kong wants to prosper, it must be open to people of all races and must continue to promote English in addition to the Chinese language.

It’s time to prove that Hong Kong is inclusive. All adverts should include people of all ethnic backgrounds, and the private sector must be encouraged to use English, too.

Shalini Mahtani, The Zubin Foundation

Source: https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3223208/racism-endemic-hong-kong-not-just-doing-few-bad-apples