The government is exploring the possibility of allowing local social organisations and medical institutions to operate in Nansha, a district of Guangzhou, to strengthen health services for Hong Kong retirees in the mainland.
The measure under consideration was revealed by Chief Secretary Stephen Lam Sui-lung, who led the Steering Committee on Population Policy, in a legislative meeting yesterday as lawmakers questioned him about ways to tackle the problems of an ageing population.
Lawmakers of major political parties said they were disappointed with the population policy report the committee released last week, which they said was not comprehensive enough and lacked initiatives.
'Retiring in the mainland could be a win-win solution, as it can reduce the city's ageing population and retirees can enjoy a lower cost of living,' said Wong Kwok-kin, a legislator representing the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. 'But there are questions over whether they can enjoy the same standard of health care, which is a key consideration for them.'
Lam said government officials and their mainland counterparts were studying the possibility of allowing health care providers and social welfare organisations to offer services in Nansha.
'But we have to take a prudent approach. It cannot be opened to all organisations at once,' he added.