As we are living in the same world, it is common knowledge that no one should discriminate against others. No matter we can do it or not, or we want to do it or not, be fair to others is what we ought to do. However, the problem of discrimination against Mainland Chinese is still serious in Hong Kong even though the sense of belonging to China has been promoted since 1997, when the handover of Hong Kong to the Mainland took place. Hong Kong people often view themselves as more affluent and more cultivated and so they look down on those Mainland Chinese who are generally poorer and less educated. Apart from education that has already been done, legislation is a supplementary method that should be carried out to prohibit discrimination against Mainland Chinese.
To commence with, legislation is a more effective means to stop discrimination against Mainland Chinese and effects can be seen with a shorter period of time. The enactment of legislation exerts a deterrent effect on Hong Kong, by the means of penalties like fine and imprisonment. Unlike education that promotes the importance of being fair to Mainland Chinese, legislation is a tougher and stricter regulation to educate citizens. Instead of encouraging people to change their attitude towards Mainland Chinese, legislation actually forces people to stop their discriminatory behaviour. Admittedly, long-term education helps solve the root of the problem. Yet, legislation is a faster method that can prevent Mainland Chinese from being discriminated against in Hong Kong. Before the discriminatory behaviour changes as a result of a change in attitude, discrimination against Mainland cannot be put to a halt. Therefore, legislation can act as a deterrent and effective supplement that prohibits discrimination against Mainland Chinese.
Furthermore, legislation provides a way for Mainland Chinese to complain about being treated unfairly. Education alone cannot give those Mainland Chinese a method to express their unhappiness and grievance. But on the other hand, with legislation which protects them from being discriminated against, they can seek help from Hong Kong government when they are treated unfairly.
Apart from advantages brought to Mainland Chinese as mentioned above, Hong Kong can actually gain benefits from the increase in tax revenue due to the legislation. By penalties, the government can receive an extra amount of money to support the education of this issue. Once the legislation is enacted, people will be punished if they violate the law. The punishment is usually in the form of fine penalties. With this extra amount of revenue, the government can allocate more resources, no matter capital or manpower to the education that changes the discriminatory attitudes of Hong Kong people towards Mainland Chinese.
Some people may argue that it is really difficult to distinguish whether a person is discriminating against others. Granted, it is uneasy, if not impossible to check whether a person holds a discriminatory attitude toward Mainland Chinese from his external behaviour. Also, there may be various forms of expression of discrimination. Yet, legislation provides a way for victims to seek help and other witnesses to report the case. Take the sex discrimination regulation as an example. Similar to our case, it is also difficult to enforce it but once it is enacted, some discrimination problems are solved. People being sexually discriminated against can protect their rights by reporting to the government.
Some people may even argue that this legislation may disrupt the harmony of society. But in contrast to the argument, enacting such legislation brings harmony to society. People may think of disharmony because they may think that such legislation labels Mainland Chinese as the group of people who are discriminated against. But it is a fact that Mainland Chinese are being discriminated against. Even without that, those being discriminated against can feel it. In addition, legislation forces Hong Kong people to face this existing problem and reminds them to be alert of their attitudes towards Mainland Chinese. Only by eliminating discrimination can a harmonious society be achieved.
Undoubtedly, education is a means which tackles the crux of the problem. However, it is useful but if being carried out alone, it is not the most effective way. Therefore, with both education and legislation, bias against Mainland Chinese can be prohibited and so legislation should be enacted.