Most Chinese mainland residents settling in Hong Kong, known as gang piaos, are positive about the city’s prospects, but would like the special administrative region to offer diversified job opportunities, a survey has found.
The Youth Expat Association recently talked to about 800 mainland residents who’ve settled down in the SAR to work or for studies to get their views on living in the city. More than 80 percent of them were below 35 years of age.
About 80 percent of the respondents said they’re confident about the prospects, citing Hong Kong’s outstanding higher education system and high-paying jobs as the main factors for their decision to settle down in the city, according to the survey’s results released on Tuesday.
However, 47 percent of the interviewees were worried about Hong Kong’s uniformed industry structure that lacks development in innovative technologies, while 53 percent hoped to see more diversified job opportunities in the future.
About 47 percent also wanted the SAR government to step up support for non-local students in learning Cantonese and English, and 43 percent hoped to attend more cultural courses to facilitate their integration into the local community.
The inconvenience in conducting remittances between Hong Kong and the mainland was also raised by 39 percent of those polled. Some argued that the city’s restrictions on tobacco and alcohol would hinder their lives.
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Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Cherrie Chong Wing-lum, conveyor of the association, said newcomers from the mainland have become one of the key sources of labor supply in Hong Kong, and the survey was aimed at understanding their experiences and offering suggestions for government policies.
Chong agreed with the importance of diversifying industries and employment opportunities, adding that the SAR needs more talents from the mainland specializing in artificial intelligence and e-commerce to meet a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Lawmaker Gary Zhang Xinyu, who was born on the mainland, shared his experience of settling down in Hong Kong many years ago. As an initiator of the survey, he said the results reflect the hopes and concerns of gang piaos, and could serve as a reference for policy-making.
He suggested that, besides providing short-term economic incentives to attract and retain talent, Hong Kong should focus on creating a vibrant and diverse social atmosphere to encourage newcomers to integrate into the community.
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The government needs to focus on addressing issues like uniform industrial structures for the betterment of the city, Zhang said.
Johnny Ng Kit-chong, also a legislator and initiator of the survey, suggested that relevant government departments step up efforts to strengthen the city’s roles as eight centers as outlined in the nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), and create more opportunities for mainland professionals to unleash their potential.
The SAR government should also adopt a holistic approach in implementing livelihood-related policies, such as last year’s smoking control measures, and consider introducing some in phases to reduce public resentment, particularly among newcomers, Ng said.
Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com
