Spats between Hong Kong residents and the mainlanders have been escalating of late. The public feuding first erupted when a video went viral, in which it shows a snack-eating mainland tourist was confronted by a Hong Kong resident on the Hong Kong subway.

Although some resort to name-calling and mud-slinging to vent their frustration, many have called for calm and rational dialogue.

@Yingwushihang Writer 

Whether it is Hong Kongers' immigration to the US or Canada, or the mainland Chinese birth tourism, both expect to benefit from openness, well-being and harmony of a more civilized society, believing they will eventually be part of it. Please understand the craving for a better life. And as long as they (mainlanders) stay, they will contribute to the construction of a better Hong Kong.

@Wufatian Scholar

Whether discrimination or superiority, the root cause actually lies in the "one-child" policy. The pregnant mothers do not go to HK for the permanent residency or for making a big sum. Actually, most of them are wealthy people who attempt to escape from the penalty (of having multiple births). It is just about avoiding the adversity and seeking fortune. Therefore, what we should reflect on is not only the irrationality of some Hong Kongers and mainland people, but also the old-fashioned "one-child" policy.

@Jinshi Urban planning scholar

The insults to mainlanders are easy to understand, which actually boils down to "interest": When the Hong Kong residents enjoy the benefit of the mainland's economic boom, they do not want to share the benefit with their mainland compatriots. Same issues can also be seen in some mainland cities, where migrants contribute greatly but are excluded from the city's welfare. The mere difference lies in the solution: These big cities can impose restrictive policies, while some Hong Kong residents can only resort to name calling.

@Woshiximengzhou Deputy Editor-in-Chief Hong Kong Commercial Daily 

Hong Kong is ruled by the law, and what mainlanders have done, from shopping and going to hospital, to giving birth and receiving education, is not against the law. Therefore, Hong Kong residents are not justified to criticize them. As for other troubles brought by the openness of border, they should be settled by law.

@1venz Sina Weibo user 

Some Hong Kong residents think of mainlanders as "locusts" who break the eco-balance of their environment, but if they were put into mainlanders' shoes, they will find Hong Kong residents are doing the same to the mainland. Every coin has two sides, and bad always come along with good. Hong Kong people had better adjust to the fact rather than waste their energy on the resentment against the mainlanders.

@Zhangyiwu Professor at Beijing University 

China's opportunities are also Hong Kong's. Chinese mainland is rising at an amazing speed, but Hong Kong is in need of profound structural adjustments, which is why Hong Kong should not only rely on the mainland, but also adjust to its rise and learn from its path. China's rise is the result of vigorous development of its economy, culture and society as well as the great influence and charm of its big market.

The Hong Kong government has promised to review the number of non Hong Kong residents allowed to give birth in its public hospitals.

While tension between some Hong Kongers and mainlanders resulting from this backlash is not likely to disappear easily, we should be optimistic that we still hold a shared sense of identity.