In a city that once led the region in cultural exports, the backlash against Avantgardey’s performance reveals a community uncertain about its cultural standing and identity. It is imperative for Hong Kong to work towards broadening its cultural perspective. Resting on our past laurels and confining ourselves to the familiar will not foster growth or rejuvenation of our cultural expression.

The comparison between classic Hong Kong milk tea and the increasingly popular hand-crushed lemon tea also serves as a metaphor for our cultural stagnation. Just as our culinary tastes must evolve and absorb new influences for us to remain relevant, so too must our cultural identity.

Cultivating and strengthening our cultural confidence is not just about preserving our past; it’s about enriching our future and ensuring that Hong Kong remains a vibrant and influential force on the world stage. Complacency will not lead us forward; only through embracing change and promoting cultural awareness can we hope to regain the cultural confidence that once defined us.

Yeung Man Fung, Mid-Levels

Between Russia and Nato, who’s weak and who’s strong?

I grew up in Siberia and know that when a bear wants a hunter to think it is not aware of his presence, it tramps like a horse, but when the predator wants to attack the hunter from behind, it moves as noiselessly as a ghost.

No doubt Sun Tzu, writing The Art of War about 25 centuries ago, also noticed that. Hence his recommendation to appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

A word to the wise: as a 60-year-old Russian, I remember my country supporting numerous warring Marxist white elephants all over the world till 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed.

Mergen Mongush, Moscow

Fix airport wheelchair shortages to prevent tragedy

I have had a hip replacement and more recently underwent lower back surgery. As a result, I find it challenging to walk long distances.

On February 16, I was travelling business class to Bangkok on CX751 and as usual requested wheelchair assistance to the boarding gate. Sadly, after a very quick check-in, I was made to wait nearly 45 minutes for the wheelchair.

Returning to Hong Kong on February 20 on CX674, the situation was even worse. There was no wheelchair at all. To my knowledge, three or four other passengers were also waiting for wheelchairs. After asking airline staff several times where the wheelchairs were, we were just told they would arrive.

After we waited for 20 minutes and with no wheelchair in sight, the staff said it was not their responsibility, but that of the Airport Authority. I told the staff I had requested wheelchair assistance through the airline, not the airport, but they would not listen.

Finally, with no other choice, the other passengers and I had to walk to immigration, which was quite painful for me, even with train access.

My questions are: who is responsible for providing wheelchairs at Hong Kong airport? If the Airport Authority or the airline does not have enough wheelchairs, shouldn’t passengers be warned and alternative arrangements made for disabled or very old people?

On February 12, an 80-year-old man at Mumbai airport didn’t get the wheelchair assistance he had requested, collapsed after walking about 1.5km to immigration and died.

Do we need to wait for such a devastating outcome in “Asia’s World City” before we rectify the situation? I really hope we can avoid this. How can we promote tourism to our city when the service at the airport alone is so terrible?

Notan H. Tolani, Tsim Sha Tsui