Advertisement

Manchu princess says property developers are the 'new emperors' of our time

Manchu princess, niece of the last emperor Puyi and long-term Hong Kong resident hits out at the real estate hegemony in Hong Kong, describing property developers as the "new emperors of our time."

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Aisin Gioro Man-ka in an interview with local media. Picture: SCMP Photos
Aisin Gioro Man-ka, a fourth-generation descendant of the Qing dynasty emperor Daoguang and the niece of the last emperor Puyi, complained about skyrocketing rents and real estate hegemony in Hong Kong, according to media reports.
Advertisement

The 69-year-old Manchu princess, a descendant of the Imperial Aisin Gioro clan, has lived in Hong Kong for twenty years and works as classical Chinese painter.

Eight years ago, she sold her flat in Quarry Bay for a price that has doubled several times since then.

She currently rents a 500-square-foot apartment in Kornhill for HK$13,000 a month, with the rent taking up a significant portion of her monthly income.

Man-ka complained about the housing situation in Hong Kong in an interview with local media. “Even if the government provides subsidies through the Home Ownership Scheme, we are still wary about purchasing those houses,” she said.

Advertisement

“Just look at the example of Kornhill Gardens – who can afford to buy an apartment there at the price of HK$7-8,000 per square foot?”

According to the Centa-City Leading Index (CCL), property prices in Hong Kong rose from 40 points in early 2004 to nearly 120 points currently, with 1997 as the base year (100 points).

Advertisement