HK is home to over 600,000 ethnic minorities, many of whom have long been rooted in the city, some even being second or third generation residents. With the Legislative Council (LegCo) election approaching, many ethnic minorities who have obtained permanent residency in Hong Kong have expressed considerable enthusiasm and interest in voting. Through interviews with HK permanent residents of Nepalese, Indian, and Turkish descent, we heard about this enthusiasm.
A HK permanent resident from Nepal, Ray: I care about this city more than many Hongkongers.
"I am also a Hongkonger, and I will go vote." A HK permanent resident from Nepal, Ray, 49, has been living in HK for 30 years. Through hard work, he has grown from an ordinary construction worker to owning his own construction company and being involved in tourism-related businesses. During this time, he has paid attention to HK society and actively given back. He has long helped his compatriots integrate into the community through volunteer work, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, he assisted the government in disseminating COVID-19 prevention guidelines information and delivering supplies to infected compatriots. He believes he is more attentive to what happens in this city than many Hongkongers.
Regarding the upcoming LegCo election, Ray continuously urges his compatriots who are HK permanent residents to vote proactively. He believes voting is not merely an action, but concerns their own future. He hopes to elect LegCo members who will speak up for ethnic minorities, making it easier for them to integrate into society, while also focusing on tourism and construction industry development.
A HK permanent resident from Nepal, Erika: Electing representatives to help ethnic minorities integrate into society
28-year-old Erika, who comes from Nepal, moved to Hong Kong with her parents at the age of 10, speaking fluent Cantonese. Her parents run a popular Nepalese restaurant in HK, and after graduation, she stayed to work in the family business. Erika has personal experience with the role of the LegCo. She pointed out that after business slowed post-pandemic, it improved in recent years precisely after the LegCo promoted multiple tourism development measures. Therefore, for the upcoming election, she clearly stated she will vote, viewing it as a civic responsibility. Erika will choose candidates who care about tourism development and the development of ethnic minorities in HK. She hopes the new LegCo members will continue to focus on tourism development and introduce more measures, as this directly affects the survival and development of unique restaurants like hers.
She has noticed that many of her fellow countrymen struggle to find jobs because they do not understand Chinese. Erika hopes to elect LegCo members who will pay attention to the lives and development of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, allowing them to better integrate into society, contribute to HK, and improve their lives.
Indian Hongkonger Daniel: Using translation apps to read platforms, still voting to elect business representatives to Help Small Shops 'Go Online'
A HK permanent resident from India, Daniel: Hoping to help more small businesses go digital to increase competitiveness.
Indian Hongkonger Daniel, originally from India, has lived in HK for 15 years. He runs a restaurant in Jordan with his wife, and they live in HK with their child. Regarding the LegCo election, Daniel clearly demonstrates that he will participate in voting in the LegCo election. Despite language barriers, he actively seeks election information and discusses it with friends. Even if they cannot read Chinese, they use translation apps to read the platforms.
He believes that many expatriates living in Hong Kong are actually concerned about social development, but due to cultural and language barriers, they find it difficult to find appropriate channels to express their voices. He hopes that there will be more avenues in the future to listen to their needs, allowing everyone to feel a greater sense of social participation. He considers participating in the LegCo elections and voting to be a great way for ethnic minorities to engage in social affairs.
When reviewing candidate information, he pays special attention to whether the candidates have a business background. He hopes to vote for an open-minded LegCo member who is concerned about the business environment for expatriates in HK. He also hopes that the new LegCo will help more small businesses transition to digitalization and increase their competitiveness.
A HK permanent resident from Turkey, Nevzat: Reviewing candidates' platforms and thinking carefully before voting.
51-year-old Nevzat Durmus comes from Turkey, and this year marks his 31st year in HK. In his youth, he met his HK wife, and after getting married, he moved to HK to live. "Turkey is a nice country, but in HK, I have clearly received more opportunities. After living here for many years, my life has improved significantly." With his wife's help, he started a business after arriving in HK, opening a snack shop, and successfully set up a Turkish café at Temple Street, promoted under the government's night economy initiative.
On a regular basis, Nevzat pays close attention to social issues. As the LegCo elections approach, he is particularly interested in the backgrounds of different candidates. "I want to know if they can bring benefits to the public, whether they can lead to better governance in HK, and if they will pay attention to the rights of small business owners."
In Nevzat's view, voting in the LegCo elections is serious business. "Since I became a voter, I have participated in every election. I have witnessed how many opposing voices in the past led to stagnation in legislation, which directly affects people's livelihoods. So, it's important to think carefully about who to vote for." He mentioned that he has already reviewed the platforms of at least four or five candidates.
He has noticed that many of his fellow countrymen are not enthusiastic about the LegCo elections, and some who are eligible voters are unwilling to participate, each busy with their own lives. "I often joke that they are too lazy. Recently, I have been encouraging them to vote actively and to engage more in social issues, as it can make them more optimistic and proactive."
A HK permanent resident from Nepal, Mina: Four years from now, I will be a first voter.
"Four years from now, I will become a first voter." Mina, who has lived in HK for five years, is not yet eligible to vote, but she feels that the election atmosphere is quite lively. She sees different candidates actively promoting their platforms every day and hears her friends in HK discussing the LegCo elections, creating a great environment.
Mina currently lives with her sister, who is a voter and cares about HK's development, and has decided to participate in the elections. Mina believes that having the right to vote is something to be proud of, as it signifies her right and obligation to make choices for the area where she lives, serving as a symbol of identity. "In two years, I will be able to obtain a permanent resident identity card, and at that time, I will definitely register to become a voter, so I can engage in discussions with my family and friends."
(Source: Ta Kung Pao; English Intern Editor: Yuki; English Editor: Kiki)
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