More American Chamber of Commerce members say they are considering leaving Hong Kong, with many citing national security law
- In the latest American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong poll, around four in 10 respondents reported that they were considering jumping ship
- While the overall percentage was slightly lower than in a similar poll last year, the actual number of self-selecting respondents who expressed a desire to leave increased substantially
The actual number of those saying they were inclined to leave likewise increased substantially, from just over 80 then to nearly 140 now.
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Conducted between May 5 and 9, the new poll found 42 per cent of 325 responding members were either considering or actively planning a move, with nearly two-thirds sharing concerns about the Beijing-imposed legislation outlawing acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
“It is easy to worry about a brain drain of top talent and skills in a gateway city that is fuelled by trade, international and capital flows, and global connectivity.”
She added that AmCham strongly urged the government to pay better attention to the sentiment among expats in Hong Kong, warning the city risked losing its edge over other business hubs if it was unable to allay the community’s concerns.
In response, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said different entities had different reasons for staying or leaving, and pointed out that the number of overseas firms using the city for their regional headquarters or offices remained steady at more than 9,000.
Yau added that the government had given Hong Kong’s foreign community a thorough explanation of the national security law, and the intent behind it, when it was first introduced.
Of the 325 members who responded to the latest survey, the majority were expats who had lived in the city for at least a year.
A large percentage of those considering leaving said they aimed to do so within a very short time frame, or as soon as they possibly could.
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For those wanting to leave, the top reason cited was discomfort arising from the national security law (62.3 per cent), followed by pandemic-related quarantine rules that have made it difficult to travel and visit their families (49.2 per cent).
Hong Kong has been in a near lockdown with regards to international travel since February last year.
A similar survey done last August showed 53 per cent of respondents were considering leaving Hong Kong, though it drew just 154 respondents.
In the most recent poll, one respondent wrote: “I am fearful for foreigners in Hong Kong, as the geopolitical situation becomes very tense, especially around Taiwan and the South China Sea. Also recent government actions show that we no longer have Hong Kong’s historical freedoms.”
