Associate Dean (External Relations) of the SMU School of Social Sciences and Associate Professor of Political Science John Donaldson commented on the differences in the history, culture and values of long-term Hong Kong residents and the mainland Chinese. He said that these differences add to the inevitable tensions which arise when a society has to accept a large influx of migrants, as is the case in Hong Kong. Associate Prof Donaldson suggested that the Chinese government will fear that if it shows any weakness in its handling of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, this may have implications in its relationships with Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.