Hong Kong is home to a diverse population, including over 600,000 ethnic minorities who make up about 8% of the city's total population. Among them are thousands of young people born and raised in Hong Kong, yet often treated as perpetual outsiders. Their stories reveal a complex tapestry of belonging, discrimination, and resilience. This article draws on widely reported surveys, personal accounts, and community initiatives to explore what it means to grow up as an ethnic minority in Hong Kong.
Who Are Hong Kong's Ethnic Minority Youth?
According to the 2021 Census, the largest ethnic minority groups in Hong Kong are Filipinos (about 200,000), Indonesians (170,000), South Asians (including Indians, Pakistanis, Nepalese, and Bangladeshis, totalling over 100,000), and smaller communities of Thais, Japanese, and others. Many of these families have lived in Hong Kong for generations. For example, the Pakistani community in Chungking Mansions has roots dating back to the 1970s. Yet, despite their long tenure, ethnic minority youth often face barriers that their Chinese peers do not.
A 2019 survey by the Hong Kong Unison found that 70% of ethnic minority students reported experiencing discrimination at school. Common incidents include being mocked for their accent, skin colour, or religious practices. One 17-year-old Pakistani student, Ayesha, told South China Morning Post: “Teachers assume I can’t speak Cantonese well, so they put me in the back of the class. I was born in Tsim Sha Tsui.”
Education: The First Battleground
Education is where many ethnic minority youth first encounter systemic inequality. Under Hong Kong's school system, students are streamed into different language mediums: Chinese-medium (CMI) or English-medium (EMI) schools. However, ethnic minority students are often placed in “designated schools” that use Chinese as the medium of instruction but offer only basic Chinese support. This can hinder their academic progress and limit their options for higher education.
According to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), only 15% of ethnic minority students achieve the minimum Chinese language requirement for local university admission, compared to 50% of Chinese students. The gap is stark. Many ethnic minority students end up in sub-degree programmes or vocational training, even if they have strong academic potential.
Community organisations have stepped in to fill the gaps. Free Cantonese classes are offered by NGOs like the Hong Kong Unison and the Zubin Foundation. These classes help students improve their Chinese proficiency and integrate into mainstream schools. Additionally, tutoring programs provide academic support in subjects like maths and science, often taught in English.
Language Barriers and Identity
Language is a double-edged sword for ethnic minority youth. Many speak Cantonese fluently but are still judged by their appearance. A 2020 study by the University of Hong Kong found that ethnic minority students who speak Cantonese with a “non-native” accent are often treated as less competent by teachers and peers. This can lead to feelings of alienation and a crisis of identity: “Am I Hongkonger? Or am I Pakistani?”
Some youth embrace their multilingualism as a strength. For instance, 19-year-old Ravi, a Nepalese student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, says: “I speak Nepali at home, Cantonese with friends, and English in class. That’s my Hong Kong identity.”
Discrimination in Daily Life
Beyond the classroom, ethnic minority youth face discrimination in public spaces. A 2021 survey by the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor found that 60% of ethnic minority respondents had experienced racial slurs or insults in the past year. Common incidents include being called “Ah Cha” (a derogatory term for South Asians) or being denied entry to restaurants and clubs.
One 22-year-old Indian woman, Priya, recalls: “I was once told by a security guard at a shopping mall that ‘this is not for you’ when I tried to enter. I was wearing a salwar kameez. I felt so humiliated.”
Legal protections exist under the Anti-Discrimination Laws, but enforcement is weak. The EOC handles complaints, but many youth are unaware of their rights. Know your rights workshops are conducted by groups like Justice Centre Hong Kong to empower youth to speak up.
Employment: The Glass Ceiling
When ethnic minority youth enter the job market, they often hit a glass ceiling. A 2018 study by the Hong Kong Institute of Education found that ethnic minority job seekers were 40% less likely to receive callbacks than equally qualified Chinese applicants. Many employers cite “poor Chinese language skills” as a reason, even for roles that require English.
Some youth turn to family businesses or self-employment. For example, the Pakistani-owned curry shops in Wan Chai and the Nepalese-run restaurants in Jordan are often passed down through generations. Others seek jobs in multinational companies where diversity is valued.
Resources like job search tips and workers' rights guides are available online. Organisations such as the Hong Kong Unison also run mentorship programmes connecting ethnic minority youth with professionals.
Cultural Pride and Community
Despite the challenges, many ethnic minority youth take pride in their heritage. They celebrate festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Filipino Independence Day with their communities. These events are not just religious or cultural; they are acts of resistance and affirmation.
Social media has become a platform for youth to share their stories. Instagram accounts like “Hong Kong Ethnic Minority” and “South Asians in HK” feature personal narratives and photos. One popular post read: “I am not a ‘foreign domestic worker’. I am Hong Kong. My family has been here for 40 years.”
Community centres, such as the Chungking Mansions Hostel and the Nepalese Buddhist Temple in Yuen Long, provide safe spaces for youth to gather and organise.
Success Stories and Role Models
There are growing numbers of ethnic minority youth who have broken barriers. For example, 24-year-old Nadeem, a Pakistani-Hongkonger, became the first ethnic minority firefighter in Hong Kong in 2020. He told Apple Daily: “I want to show that we can serve this city just like anyone else.”
In academia, Dr. J. S. Sandhu, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, mentors ethnic minority students. In business, entrepreneurs like Rizwan Ullah, founder of the Halal Food Company, employ ethnic minority youth.
These stories are featured on success stories pages, which inspire younger generations.
Looking Forward: Policy Changes and Community Action
Advocacy groups are pushing for policy changes. The Hong Kong Unison has called for a review of the Chinese language curriculum for ethnic minority students, arguing that the current system is discriminatory. In 2022, the government introduced a pilot programme to provide additional Chinese support in 25 schools, but activists say it is not enough.
Legal aid is available through free legal clinics for those facing discrimination. For families navigating immigration, immigration advice is crucial.
Ethnic minority youth themselves are organising. Groups like “Hong Kong Youth for Diversity” hold workshops and public talks. Their message is clear: we are here, we belong, and we will not be silenced.