South Asian Ethnic Groups
Who are the South Asian Ethnic Groups?
The population of South Asian nations, for
instance, Pakistan, India, Nepal,
Bangladesh and the Philippines.
Common South Asian ethnic groups in Hong
Kong
• According to the 2006 census, there were
340,000 (approximately 5.1%) South Asian
ethnic groups residing in Hong Kong. Most of
them came from South or South East Asian
countries.
• The most common South Asian ethnic groups
in Hong Kong are Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani
and Filipino.
• For example, there are approximately
100,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong.
The population and common occupations of
South Asian ethnic groups in Hong Kong
Races
Populations
Common Occupations
Indian
87,713
merchant/ professional
Nepalese
15,654
construction site worker/ security
guard/ cleaner/ catering
Pakistani
10,670
Filipino
112,016
construction site worker/ security
guard/ driver/ industrial worker/
messenger
domestic helper/ hotel or bar
band/ catering
資料來源：《融樂會》
The South Asian ethnic groups in Hong
Kong
 Hong Kong is a city of migrants with people moving in
from other areas. For example, millions of people from
the Mainland China and western countries moved into
and resided in Hong Kong during the last few decades.
The South Asian ethnic groups also started to move
into here at the same time.
 There are various reasons why the South Asian ethnic
groups reside in Hong Kong. For example, for living,
working opportunities or merchandising. Some of them
came because of political reasons.
 Many South Asian ethnic groups people started to
reside in Hong Kong few decades ago. Many families
have been in Hong Kong for 3 or 4 generations.
Video Watching
Discussion questions
• Which races do Charlie in Homecoming and
Vivek Mahbubani belong to?
• Why do Charlie and Vivek Mahbubani stay in
Hong Kong?
• What was the difficulty Charlie encountered?
If you were Charlie, would you stay in Hong
Kong or go home instead?
• Has Vivek encountered any problems? Give
one example.
• What do you think of Charlie and Vivek? Do
they give you impressions similar to or
different from those you have on South Asian
ethnic groups? What are the similarities and
differences?
Suggested Answer
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Which races do Charlie in Homecoming and Vivek Mahbubani belong to?
Suggested answer: Charlie is a Filipino and Vivek is an Indian.
Why do Charlie and Vivek Mahbubani stay in Hong Kong?
Suggested answer: Charlie works as a foreign domestic helper in Hong
Kong to support her family in the Philippines. Vivek was born and raised
in Hong Kong. His family has been in Hong Kong for many generations.
What was the difficulty Charlie encountered? If you were Charlie, would
you stay in Hong Kong or go home instead?
Suggested answer: Charlie could not take good care of her son, who was
in the Philippines. His son became a scamp and she did not know what
could be done. [Any answers with reasonable explanations]
Has Vivek encountered any problems? Give one example.
Suggested answer: He has difficulties in learning Chinese.
What do you think of Charlie and Vivek? Do they give you impressions
similar to or different from those you have on South Asian ethnic groups?
What are the similarities and differences?
Any answers with reasonable explanations
South Asian ethnic groups in different
occupations
• In Hong Kong, many people have an
impression that South Asian ethnic
groups only take up inferior working
positions such as domestic helpers. The
truth is, they are engaged in various
occupations. Some of them are even
well known public figures.
• Can you name some of the public
figures who belong to any South Asian
ethnic groups?
Example 1
• Gill Mohinderpaul
Singh (喬寶寶，原名：
喬保羅)
• Indian
• Born in Hong Kong
• He was an officer in
Hong Kong
Correctional
Services
Department before
becoming an actor
Example 2
• Teresa Carpio (杜麗莎)
• Filipino and Chinese mixed
• Her Filipino father was a
popular Jazz player in Hong
Kong, known as “The King
of Drums”(香港鼓王)
• She was a famous singer in
Hong Kong. She now is a
popular singing teacher
Example 3
• Yonden
Lhatoo
• Nepalese
• Chief editor
and anchor of
aTV World
News
Conclusion
• Though South Asian ethnic groups only
make up 5.1% of population in Hong Kong,
their contributions to the city is as great as
any other people in Hong Kong. They are
in many ways similar to you and me.