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Hong KongHong Kong Economy

Beijing plan to give Hongkongers based on mainland same rights there raises questions

Tax arrangements, public benefits and home purchasing among areas in which more information sought

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The plan is believed to be aimed at attracting young people and deterring them from relocating overseas. Photo: Reuters
Denise TsangandPeace Chiu

Beijing’s plan to give Hongkongers the same rights as their mainland Chinese counterparts when studying, living and working across the border will bring more choice but has raised questions over how attractive the offer is.

Few details have surfaced about the plan reported by Xinhua on Wednesday that coincided with President Xi Jinping’s announcement that he would make it “more ­convenient” for Hongkongers to “study, work and live on the mainland” so they could capitalise on national development opportunities.

Work, study and play: will Hong Kong residents be tempted by equal rights in mainland China?

Some Hong Kong business leaders and local residents said more information on issues such as tax arrangements, public benefits and home buying was needed to determine whether the offer would be worthwhile or not.

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Caesar Wong, of consulting firm RSM, said the benefits of the initiative might not materialise right away.

Under the plan, students from Hong Kong could get a free education on the mainland.Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Under the plan, students from Hong Kong could get a free education on the mainland.Photo: K. Y. Cheng
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Certain key information that is not yet available would affect Hongkongers’ “appetite” to work or live on the mainland, Wong said.

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