Letters | World city Hong Kong still holds its own against Shenzhen

Leaving aside politics, which is most likely the reason a sizeable number of Hong Kong youth would reject the offer, an opportunity to work or study in the mainland does not seem like the most attractive option in the first place. It is true that there are a number of colleges and universities on the mainland that could compete with world-famous universities in America or Europe, but so can the universities in our city, such as the University of Hong Kong, which has a world ranking of 22nd.

If I were to choose to study somewhere other than Hong Kong, my first pick would not be mainland China.

As for job opportunities, according to the article, even though Shenzhen’s role as a special economic zone is starting to overlap with Hong Kong’s, the city still has its international nature, which makes it one of a kind. So the draw of going to the mainland truly does not stand out.

If the political factor were added back into account, even fewer young people would want to go. There are those like opposition legislator Wu Chi-wai wh would question the attractiveness of living or working on the mainland where people’s freedoms are suppressed.

The main concern for Hongkongers is their freedom. Unless the mainland can prove it is trustworthy, no matter how many or how attractive the offers, the majority of responses would still be negative.