Diverse and inclusive Hong Kong
FoundationAbout 7.5 million people of many races, religions and cultures live together in Hong Kong; discrimination is against the law (enforced by the EOC). Inclusion starts with respect and a helping hand.
- About 7.5 million people living in diversity
- Discrimination is illegal: gender, disability, race, family status
- Inclusion starts with respect and help
§Text Passage
1Hong Kong is a diverse society of about 7.5 million people where different races, religions and cultures live side by side: on one street a cha chaan teng, a mosque, a temple and a church can stand together; beyond the Chinese majority, many South and Southeast Asian residents have long made Hong Kong their home. Diversity is the city's character and strength, making its culture richer and more vibrant.
2Discrimination is not always dramatic; it often hides in daily details: refusing service to a customer of a certain ethnicity, mocking accents and dress, or freezing out non-Chinese-speaking classmates during group work can all cause hurt. Discrimination costs victims fair chances, dents their self-esteem, and in the long run erodes trust between communities, damages social harmony and dulls Hong Kong's image as an international city.
3Discrimination is outlawed: treating people unfavourably on grounds of sex, disability, family status or race breaches the anti-discrimination ordinances, which the Equal Opportunities Commission enforces while promoting equal opportunity across society. If it happens, note what happened and seek help from a teacher, your parents or the EOC; bystanders who refuse to join in or egg others on are also part of inclusion.
4Inclusion starts with the people around you: do group work with non-Chinese-speaking classmates to help them settle into lessons; respect the diets and religious customs of different ethnic groups, understanding that some classmates limit what they eat for religious reasons; take an active part in school cultural events to appreciate different traditions. Inclusion does not wait for grand policies — small daily acts from everyone make Hong Kong a truly diverse and inclusive city.
1Summary 重點摘要
About 7.5 million people of many races, religions and cultures live together in Hong Kong; discrimination is against the law (enforced by the EOC). Inclusion starts with respect and a helping hand.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Different races, religions and cultures living side by side.
Accepting everyone so they can take part in society.
Treating people unfairly because of their background.
The statutory body enforcing anti-discrimination laws.
Helping without pay, e.g. visiting the elderly.
Different races respecting and living peacefully with one another.
Ethnic groups forming a minority of the population, e.g. South Asians in Hong Kong.
Accepting others' differences and treating them courteously.
3Step by step Steps
- A diverse societyHong Kong is a diverse society of about 7.5 million people where different races, religions and cultures live side by side: on one street a cha chaan teng, a mosque, a temple and a church can stand together; beyond the Chinese majority, many South and Southeast Asian residents have long made Hong Kong their home. Diversity is the city's character and strength, making its culture richer and more vibrant.
- Discrimination is outlawedDiscrimination is prohibited by law: treating people unfavourably on grounds of sex, disability, family status or race breaches the anti-discrimination ordinances; the Equal Opportunities Commission enforces the laws and promotes the idea of equal opportunity across society. Note that mocking someone's accent or customs may look like a joke, yet it can amount to discrimination or harassment — and carry consequences all the same.
- Inclusion starts nearbyInclusion starts with the people around you: help non-Chinese-speaking classmates settle into lessons, for example by completing group work together; join volunteer service — agencies such as TWGHs, Po Leung Kuk and the Hong Kong Red Cross recruit volunteers all year round; respect the diets and religious customs of different ethnic groups, understanding that some classmates limit what they eat for religious reasons. Such acts help people of every background feel accepted.
- What discrimination looks like dailyDiscrimination is not always dramatic; it often hides in daily details: refusing service to a customer of a certain ethnicity, mocking accents and dress, or freezing out non-Chinese-speaking classmates during group work can be unlawful or hurtful. If it happens, note what happened and seek help from a teacher, your parents or the EOC; bystanders who refuse to join in or egg others on are also part of inclusion.
- The harm discrimination doesThe Race Discrimination Ordinance protects everyone from unfair treatment because of race. Discrimination harms both the person and society: victims lose fair chances in school, work and services, their self-esteem suffers, and in the long run they may drift away from the community; for society, discrimination erodes trust between groups, damages social harmony, and dulls Hong Kong's image as an international city.
- Concrete acts of inclusionInclusion is concrete and doable: learn about other cultures, greet ethnic-minority classmates and find out what their festivals mean; stand up when someone is being mocked, stop it and tell a teacher; take an active part in school cultural events to appreciate different traditions. Inclusion does not wait for grand policies — it starts with small daily acts, and everyone can do their part.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: a new student from Pakistan speaks little Chinese; a classmate says 'don't team up with him'. What can you do?
- Think first: excluding him may be discrimination — not right
- Put yourself in his shoes: you'd want help abroad too
- Act: use simple English and gestures, invite him into your group
- Follow up: keep caring afterwards and help him get to know more classmates
- Answer: Start by pointing out that excluding the new student may amount to discrimination — it is wrong; then put yourself in his shoes — you would want help studying abroad too. Act: communicate with simple English and gestures and invite him into your group; afterwards keep caring and introduce more classmates. Reaching out and helping is exactly the inclusive spirit of Hong Kong.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is the EOC's full name?
Q2Name two areas covered by anti-discrimination ordinances.
Q3Name one social service organisation in Hong Kong.
Q4In what ways is Hong Kong a diverse society?
Q5How should we treat people from different backgrounds?
8Recap Recap
- About 7.5 million people living in diversity
- Discrimination is illegal: gender, disability, race, family status
- Inclusion starts with respect and help
- The EOC enforces and promotes the anti-discrimination ordinances
- Volunteering is a great way to serve and practise inclusion