Bernard Chan

Opinion | To stay or go? Hong Kong remains the best choice, but it can do more to retain its home-grown talent

Every Hongkonger who moves away is a loss for family and friends, and for the city. While fewer may leave under the BN(O) visa scheme than Britain predicts, we need to create a better city for new talent and existing residents alike

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People wait to cross the road in Hong Kong on December 20. We need to redouble our efforts to create a more liveable and affordable city with a higher quality of life for all. Photo: Zuma wire/dpa

Bernard Chan

Published: 6:45am, 12 Feb 2021Updated: 6:50am, 12 Feb 2021

Kung hei fat choi! Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the official start of spring. In the Chinese tradition, it’s a day for a family reunion. Unfortunately, in this pandemic year, many of us – myself included – will not be able to gather all our family members around the banquet table as usual.

Although we may be separated by distances or quarantines, or simply by an abundance of caution to protect fragile elders, I know we are united in the hope that the Year of the Ox marks the beginning of better days ahead.

For some families, there is a double shadow over this festive season. Hong Kong families separated by pandemic restrictions are also dealing with the possibility of longer-term or even permanent separation, as they consider moving away from the city.

On January 31, the British government opened up an expanded migration scheme through the British National (Overseas) passport that potentially allows up to 5 million Hongkongers a path to eventual British citizenship. The British government expects that around 300,000 may take up this offer over the next five years.

I certainly don’t want to see large numbers of Hongkongers leave. A recent survey by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups suggests that 30 per cent of our young people are contemplating migration. It would be very unfortunate if this happened. Every person who moves away is a loss for family and friends who remain at home, and for our city.

06:15

BN(O) passport holders flee Hong Kong for new life in the UK, fearing Beijing’s tightening control

But I don’t think we will see as many Hongkongers taking up the BN(O) offer as the British government expects. Migration is a highly personal decision. Politics and social issues may play a part in the calculation but, ultimately, the choice comes down to individual advantage: people will seek the best opportunities for themselves. And if you lay out the case – to stay or to go – Hong Kong remains the strongest contender.

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