As China reopens, well-off citizens embrace ‘run’ culture and seek new homes in Southeast Asia

Desire to escape China’s strict controls has seen ‘influx’ of inquiries about possible move to Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand, observers say

Property sector upbeat as return of big-spending Chinese nationals expected to drive sales

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Chinese passengers arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand, on Monday following China’s lifting of the travel ban. Photo: Xinhua

Kimberly Limin SingaporeandJoseph Sipalan

Published: 8:00am, 14 Jan 2023

Property agents and immigration experts are seeing a surge in inquiries from Chinese nationals for family offices in Singapore, condos in Malaysia and residency in Thailand, as emigration to Southeast Asia becomes an increasingly tantalising prospect after three years stuck at home.

Many Chinese people are preparing for their first Lunar New Year overseas since 2020, when a growing trend of seeking new homes across Asia was abruptly stubbed out by the pandemic, or restricted to online viewings and purchases of property.

But as China dismantles most of its strict zero-Covid rules, and allows its people to go overseas for the annual holiday, many appear set to act on long-delayed plans, visit properties they bought for the first time or make the jump for good from life in China.

Sulochana Uthirapathi, the founder of Transform Borders, a firm that specialises in Singapore immigration matters, said she’d noticed an “influx” of inquiries from Chinese nationals planning to move to the city state in the past month.

Office workers at the Raffles Place financial business district in Singapore. Photo: AFP

She estimates up to a 30 per cent increase in inquiries – made up mostly of wealthy Chinese nationals who intend to set up their own family office in the city state.

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