In the Hong Kong International Airport, I see Hong Kong people who are about to immigrate and leave from time to time, hugging their relatives and friends tightly, and shedding tears.
According to the data from the Immigration Department in the first quarter, the net outflow of Hong Kong residents has been rising, reaching over 140,000.
Although the government has explained that the flow of people is normal and everyone makes decisions based on their own needs and considerations, the resurgence of immigration cannot be ignored.
In an exclusive interview with "Hong Kong 01", former HKMA President Chen Delin believed that those who leave are only affected by the current temporary factors. As long as Hong Kong remains competitive, talents will eventually return. He also has confidence in the city and clearly stated that he will stay in the city. Enjoy retirement in Hong Kong.
"Good birds choose wood for habitation". Those who choose to immigrate and leave are believed to have experienced the turmoil against the amendment bill in 2019 and the follow-up events, and they cannot see the future of Hong Kong. Those who choose to stay do not necessarily have confidence in Hong Kong's future. full.
In fact, being described as an immigrant city, Hong Kong is not the first time to experience a wave of immigration. As early as the 1980s, when China and the UK were discussing the future of Hong Kong, many Hong Kong people lost confidence and immigrated, giving themselves and their families an "escape" "back door.
Chen Delin: There is no national security law in this place?
In an exclusive interview with Hong Kong 01, former HKMA President Chen Delin believed that immigration is a personal choice. What he values is not how many people choose to immigrate, but whether Hong Kong is still attractive and attracts talents to live and work in the city.
He bluntly said that in the 1980s and 1990s, he also witnessed the emergence of the immigration wave. At that time, many friends chose to leave, but they returned to Hong Kong after leaving. He summed up two main reasons. Because Hong Kong has more development opportunities, I decided to come back to work.
Regarding some people who think that the freedom of Hong Kong people has been greatly reduced after the implementation of the "Hong Kong National Security Law", Chen Delin asked back, "There is no [National Security Law] in the other country or region? You don't want to live in a place that does not subvert your own government's rights? Shanghai? There are national security laws, the UK has it, the US has it.”
Chen Delin believes that immigration is a personal choice. What he values is not how many people choose to immigrate, but whether Hong Kong still remains attractive.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Hong Kong needs to remain competitive to attract talent
Therefore, he believes that many Hong Kong people who leave are due to "current" factors. "Many people leave because of politics, and many people are affected by the current events. If someone wants to go to Singapore, if the (Hong Kong) government is quarantined The policy is not good and so on, it does affect the public sentiment." But Chen Delin believes that Hong Kong's competitiveness will not be damaged because of this. "In the 1980s, there were more immigrants (leaving), and I don't think there are too many restrictions on development."
In the final analysis, for Chen Delin, everything depends on the city's "competitiveness", "Attractiveness and competitiveness are very important, I have never seen an attractive and competitive metropolis, but it cannot attract talents. In the face of the polarization of the world, Hong Kong is backed by China, the world's second largest economy. He believes that the question is whether they have the ability to get a share of the pie, but Hong Kong people maintain confidence and competitiveness, and with the support of the state , can continue the advantages of the past hundred years and become a global trade and capital hub, connecting China and overseas funds.
More Chen Delin interviews:
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I didn't consider "going out of the mountain", hoping to clear the customs and go to Zhongshan to play
Chen Delin retired as early as October 2019, and then founded Yuanbi Wallet Technology Company and served as chairman.
During the visit, he was full of longing for the future of Hong Kong. During the visit, he was in the midst of the election of the chief executive. He asked if he would consider "going out of the mountains" to lead Hong Kong to a new peak?
He said with a smile that he was already very busy, but he would support the chief executive-elect Lee Ka-chao, thinking that he was hard-working enough, "Hong Kong needs to be hard-working."
He also stated clearly that his choice after retirement is very simple, that is to stay in Hong Kong, "My choice is very simple, I really like Hong Kong, I will retire in Hong Kong, but not just stay in Hong Kong, a city like Zhongshan. There is a place, I am very happy to beat the wave of food and scare, I will continue this life after I return to the customs.”
Return to 25 years of major economic data changes