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The ‘Day of the Locusts’
There was a collective jaw-drop when Beijing University professor Kong Qingdong gave his ‘dog speech’ a few weeks back, yet a week later, more jawbones hit the floor after seeing a full-page ad in a daily newspaper with a giant locust coveting our city, accompanied by scary statistics and warnings. Has war been declared?
What’s most unexpected is that the locust ad was immediately lifted from Apple Daily and ‘reinterpreted’ by Mainland provinces into their own versions (many of them witty) criticising migrant workers and corrupt officials. It was a neat twist to a Mainland response which many in Hong Kong expected to be ultra-furious.
The group that sponsored the locust ad have ‘had enough’ of Mainland students stealing our education resources, of their parents robbing our hospital resources, of their tourists polluting our holy soil and their money-splashers heating up our property market. This is understandable in a city where most people can’t afford their own shelter, and where the government is powerless against tycoon pressure (and helpless in improving its social and population policy). It’s only natural that Mainland people would become a scapegoat for all the sins of our system, and an easy target for the far right to vent their anger. So far, the ‘sunset’ government has wisely kept its head down – and why not? Nobody even cares about its many faults any more.
Yet isn’t it the government which has cut land supply, stopped the construction of affordable housing estates, and failed to intervene in the property market just because this city is the ‘freest economy in the world’ (the freest economy that bounds many of its ‘beneficiaries’ in ‘cage-houses’ and subdivision-housing blocks)? And isn’t it the government, with its huge surplus from selling land to the big sharks that refuses to improve our social welfare and hospital system? Isn’t it the government that doesn’t dare raise the topic of amending the Basic Law in the face of Beijing?
From the 1980s till now, there have been around a million immigrants arriving in Hong Kong. They are seen as outsiders and problem-makers. The moment they cross the border, they are forced to admit their second-class citizenship, and they are forced to ‘civilise’ themselves into noble Hongkongers. But in a city where freedom of speech is laudably respected, their voices have been ignored by the mainstream media.
Let’s not forget: Mainland students pay tens of thousands of dollars a year to Hong Kong’s universities, and Mainland employees pay tax. These taxes go into the city’s resources. Yet when they were excluded from the $6,000 handout, did they scream ‘Hongkongers stole my money!’? Yet now we blame them for stealing our resources. Should they be grateful they are allowed here in the first place? Or do we even care about their existence? Charlotte Fan
19 Comments Add your comment
No we do not care for their existence here. They can take keep their money and take it elsewhere. Quality Of life is more important than money. And one does not always equal the other.
Hongkie Kongies are dying off due to low birth rates, this noise is just the final death rattle.
in life , don't curse the darkness , light a candle
Charlotte: I find it interesting how you can somehow muddle up all the issues discussed in your article. Therein you seem to suggest Mainlanders are unfairly scapegoated due to the failures of our government and its policies. The latter is correct, but the truth is, there are some mainlanders who are taking advantage of our system, at our expense. Not all of us concerned about these issues are all noble, and we certainly do not assume we hold some sort of higher moral ground vis-a-vis our mainland neighbors. Just consider the issue about hospital places. Is it fair that our medical staff have to endure mainland mothers gatecrashing E.R. wards? Is it fair for our own mothers to endure their labor in the corridors of our labor. Did you read the news about the mother who had a miscarriage because of mainland mothers cutting queues? Or of them refusing to pay expenses? Or them abandoning their kids here? So, them doing this is alright, but us complaining is being discriminatory? A lot of this boils down to government policy, or the lack of it. In many ways, we truly have enough. The posters, right or wrong, are expressions of frustration and anger at years of government mismanagement and exclusion against its own people. Don't you think you need to be fair to your own people before asking your people to be inclusive towards others? Besides, one last point. You mentioned "Mainland students pay tens of thousands of dollars a year to Hong Kong’s universities". Let me correct you there. Each of them enrolled in UGC places are subsidized by the government, as are international students, and by extension, the taxpayer. But is this even the issue here? Since when were mainland students and mainland expatriates the issue?
don't be silly, mainland students are subsided by the HK government, the tuition they paid are very little compared to other western countries such as UK and Canada. You also can't say HKers stole your tuition money because you are getting quality education. It's called "trade" honey. Foreign students are not entitled to certain benefits of citizenship are standard norms in almost all countries, so I don't even get your last argument. Low birth rate are essentially a global trend in all developed countries (U.S is the only exception), so if this issue is gonna kill HK, tons of countries are going down with us.
To the 'journalist': any statistics to show how much foreign students pay and how much it actually costs to offer them education? And remember, you don't build universities like HKU, CUHK or UST in a fiscal year. Mainland students are too young to rush into HK's emergency wards to have babies so they keep coming to study - it's just another channel to dig gold and HK's superior passport even though they'd never tell you once they've made it here, they have absolutely no intention of going back to Mainland China. If you want to be biased, dump your professionalism and go write for a Mainland Chinese publication.
Bernard: It's great to see my commentary can get your serious feedback! First, about muddling up: when one has a lot to say but can only write so many words, I guess this is the best one can do. Second, on Mainlanders taking our advantages: my last point is trying to say that they are also taking Mainland taxpayers' advantages. But do we consider Mainland taxpayers a part of 'us'? Many may say yes, if they're contributing to Hong Kong. But do we really think so deep in our heart? Third, Mainland mums gatecrashing ER wards: there seem a lot, due to media magnification. But according to statistics, there were 1,100 Mainland gatecrashers without booking in 2011, that's 3 in a day. So shouldn't we ask how come HK's hospital system crashed dealing with 3 unbooked Mainland mothers per day? Last but not least, about Mainland students: well, maybe the Mainland students I know are relatively well off? They paid full tuition here, which is tens of thousands. I know some of them are subsidized, but not all.
To Jane HK: I think I need to make it clear that I'm more of a commentator than a journalist here. So the 'professionalism' for commentators is to put down their own opinions rather than to be balanced and fair to all. But still I don't think I'm biased. Well, maybe I am, to the government. Thanks for your feedback :)
Are you trying to light another fire between mainland students/workers with HK moms?? You posted the ad with Locust and a group logo along with your article. Are you trying to imply that this group made this ad? This ad is not sponsored/ initiated by the group, but others who also support the issue that the child should not get permanent residency straight ahead in the condition neither the mom or dad is a Hong Kong permanent resident. This ad has nothing to do with Mainland students/ workers in HK. We all know mainland students have to pay for their tuition fee and many mainlanders do pay tax in HK. I do have many Mainland friends study in foreign countries, and some of them would work in HK for several years to gain working experience. They have pretty good impression in HK. Few of them have experienced something bad when getting along with local people in HK. I’m really amazed by the way that you link this issue to between Mainland students/workers in HK and HK moms. Please consider the followings before you make any of your brilliant judgments: 1) Do you agree with your mainland fellows who try to use ALL kinds of means just to get HKID for their kids/ themselves? 2) What initiate them to bump into this little city in such a rush? Is it that they don’t have their own community service in their hometown? 4) Have you considered why every city has their own community services to cope with their people needs? Do you think that they designed to adapt massive inflow of patients who come from other cities/provinces?? 5) Do you think it is right for local citizens to fight for all sorts of limited social resources? 6) Have you try to investigate how bad the condition is in the hospitals & other community service units??? You said “shouldn't we ask how come HK's hospital system crashed dealing with 3 unbooked Mainland mothers per day?” I hope it is really just 3 unbooked Mainland mothers per day but the number should not be taken on average as this is emergency service. Do you know how much extra manpower the hospitals have to give to those pregnant ladies who are well practiced given with fake body check records? Is it fair to those who have made appointment to give birth or other patients who have the real need to be diagnosed in the hospital right away? 7) Is it right we have to bear all these just because we are ruled under this so called SAR? If you’d like to speak up for your mainland fellows who try to use all sorts of means just to get HKID for their kids/ themselves, you’d better have an in-depth study in this issue. What are the majors temptations that makes your mainland fellows so eager go long way through to HK to give birth? Is it just one-child policy? What are the short-term and long-term effects to the future development in HK? ...etc. We know that it is not solely the mainland parents faults, some of them are mislead by the agencies. It is undeniable that this loophole is created by people who represented our gov’t, and our gov’t has to rectify the root of the problem as soon as possible.
Charlotte: Thanks for your feedback. Nonetheless, I do think each of the issues discussed must be considered independently, even though they share a common root - failure of government policy. Besides, one clearly needs to realize that by being concerned or frustrated about these issues, one need not necessarily be 'noble' or even 'discriminatory'. Take, for instance, the issue about mainland mums gatecrashing our ER wards. No matter what the numbers are, is that fair? Is it fair for our local mums to receive reduced (or even no) services because of this? Is it fair for our medical staff? Is it fair to us taxpayers should they choose to dump their kids here, or refuse to pay for hospital bills? Do you mean we have to subsidize such cases even when they are unfairly competing for birth wards against us? Besides, even if these people are taking advantage of Mainland taxpayers, this doesn't give them the green light to take advantage of us as well. And just wondering, have you been to an ER ward before? Even 3 gatecrash cases can be a serious burden on our medical staff who are already tending to numerous other emergency cases. It's called emergency for a reason. Emergency is not refusing to book for a maternity ward, and crashing at the last minute, at the peril of the mother, child, and others. The thing about Mainland students. For the 8 public universities in Hong Kong that are UGC funded, places for mainland students are subsidized - i.e. the 'full' tuition fee they are paying is already subsidized. Any grants or scholarships would be granted in addition to that. I should know - I work in this industry. Besides, the issue about mainland students or expatriates should not even be discussed - it is not even remotely related to the original issues you were talking about.
Thanks Phoenix for your questions. These are very good points, and I've forwarded your questions to Time Out's reporter Shirley Zhao. I think, investigating into all the doubts and influences, she will make a great feature out of it soon! And I'd like to recommend to you Time Out Hong Kong issue 98. It's about Hong Kong's tycoons which explains a lot of HK's deep-seated problems. I think you'd be interested in it. As to your questions to my intention, that'd be a big NO. In terms of lighting fire, my tone seems to be calmer than many other commentators. And about the ad, I'd never thought of connecting it to the group before you mentioned it. And bravo to your last point. That's the point I've been trying to say. I didn't say HK people are wrong to be angry in the article. Just let's vent our anger to the right one, which I believe you certainly will after reading Time Out's latest Tycoon issue.
Bernard: As I mentioned in the reply above, Time Out's latest issue is a must read to understand more about HK's problems. About Mainland mums, http://www.facebook.com/notes/edwin-chau/%E5%AE%8C%E5%85%A8%E9%8C%AF%E7%BD%AE%E7%9A%84%E9%9B%99%E9%9D%9E%E7%88%AD%E8%AD%B0/10150572627026897 I think this article is quite reasonable. About the Mainland students/workers, I'm trying to say that if we only vent our anger towards Mainland mums/shoppers/babies ..., imagine how they'll feel. After all, the government and its collusion with the tycoons are the major reason of HK's miseries. And of course, HK has never enjoyed full democracy in history. Maybe this is the ultimate reason.
Oh the link doesn't work. Then maybe you can google '完全錯置的雙非爭議'. Thanks for your comment :) My email is killuazxy@hotmail.com (I know the account name sucks). Maybe we can communicate more in the future.
I have to agree our anger is sometimes misplaced. But unfortunately, if the so-called government refuses to take responsibility, then society will suffer the consequences. I hope the recent turmoil, right or wrong, will force the government to do something. Of course, I am not confident that will happen given past record. In any case, even of HK has never enjoyed full democracy, it is good to see people coming out to speak their voices and make themselves heard. Whether they are right or wrong doesn't matter. We have to accommodate both sides in a real democracy. And to think that we could even have this conversation in the first place, that is a good thing. Not many, including our neighbors up north, have this luxury.
Yes, I do enjoy such luxury! Thanks, Bernard. And words are that Time Out is going to investigate into this issue. I'm looking forward to the result.
That might be good news, although I believe Time Out should consider investigating each of these issues independently in the interests of fairness. Besides, much commentary to date seems to suggest that either Hongkongers are noble, xenophobic or discriminatory. Even though there are people like that, it does not follow that us being concerned about these issues make us discriminatory. In any case, as much as I have my own biases, I would be happy to share my views with Time Out further if circumstances allow.
Dear Bernard, I'm the current affairs reporter of Time Out. Just saw your comments. It's very nice to know your concerns and thoughts on this issue. My e-mail address is: shirley.zhao@timeout.com.hk. Please do drop me an e-mail if you have time, I'd really want to know more about your opinions.
And everybody else please also feel free to e-mail me if you have any opinions on this issue. It'll be great to hear from you all.
There's a real forest/trees disconnect on the HK side. Everything--EVERYTHING--that people are complaining about is the fault of a chickenshit, toothless government. And some of these complaints are sheer chimeras--e.g., "subsidized" mainland students in Hong Kong. This applies only to the small percentage who are postgraduate research students, and these are precisely the kind of immigrants/sojourners any progressive society wants to attract. The vast majority of mainland students in HK are undergraduates and postgraduates who are paying full fare and don't get jack from the government (except for the undergrads who get hostel spaces, a perfectly reasonable "perk" for the average ultra-naive 18-year-old in the big city). Non-research postgrads, who are about 90% of the total of mainlanders studying here, get ZERO accommodations.
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