Many Hongkongers urge cut in number of mainland Chinese immigrants
Survey shows that many Hongkongers feel the newcomers are stealing jobs, but one academic says such negative sentiment is dangerous
Hongkongers' negative view of mainland immigrants is underlined by a survey in which half the respondents say the number of migrants should be reduced.
One academic says such attitudes could evolve dangerously into discrimination.
The Institute of Education conducted random phone interviews in February with 1,024 adults about how they view mainland immigrants and found more than half - 51 per cent - thought the number allowed into Hong Kong should decrease. Just over a quarter thought the number should stay the same, and less than a fifth said it should increase.
Chou Kee-lee, professor in the Department of Asian and Policy Studies at the institute, said: "This is worrisome. The sentiment needs to change. The government needs to face this problem before it gets worse."
Chou said a few new immigrants who had settled in the city on one-way permits were in the survey, but they accounted for less than 10 per cent.
Economic reasons played a major part in forming negative sentiments, Chou said, with a large number agreeing that new immigrants compete for economic resources.