Xenophobia and racism are symptoms of the same disease. They are both fueled by intolerance, suspicion, unenlightened selfishness- none of which we should be encouraging.

Stunning revelations by a survey conducted in Hong Kong indicated that the locals are much reluctant to having a neighbor from Africans, Nepalese, Filipinos, Indians and Pakistani. Most of them were reluctant to have them as spouses or friends too. The survey conducted on 1860 people only suggested that they disliked their Asian tourist. The nonprofit that conducted the poll is careful to note that its results don’t represent Hong Kong as a whole, with police cadets making up 54% of respondents and secondary school students 27%. Over 99% of those participating in the survey were ethnic Chinese, over 75% of them were male, and the average age was 24.

Surveys conducted in Singapore, tell a different story, suggesting that young people there hold comparatively more tolerant views towards race. According to government surveys, 90% of respondents in Singapore aged 15-34 say they would feel comfortable having a neighbor or colleague of a different ethnicity. (However, that figure dips to 80% if the neighbor in question is also a foreigner.)

With more number of Tamilians living in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong the issue becomes problematic for their families living back home in India. (With inputs from internet- AarKay)