Hong Kong invites a new generation to come “home”

Hong Kong already has a special relationship with Canada: Hong Kong is Canada’s eighth largest export market for merchandise (2015); the two governments recently signed an investment promotion and protection agreement; Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have established provincial offices there; and five Canadian banks operate in the region.

To top it off, Canadians represent one of the largest foreign communities in Hong Kong.

To further strengthen the bond, the Hong Kong SAR government is inviting overseas- born children of emigrated Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents to re- turn “home” to help build and sustain its economy.

Hong Kong’s senior population ( aged 65 and over) is expected to more than double to reach 2.58 million by 2064. During that same period the labour force will shrink by almost 500,000. Given their language skills, knowledge of the culture and higher education, the Hong Kong SAR government views the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents as a potential new and energetic workforce.

With many having family members still residing in the city, there may be an additional incentive to return and build a future there. For this purpose, the Hong Kong SAR government introduced a pilot Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (ASSG).

Launched in May of 2015, the ASSG has already succeeded in welcoming 187 talents ( as on August 25) from around the globe to support Hong Kong’s economic development; 30 of those are Canadians.

To qualify for the ASSG, applicants must be between 18 and 40; born overseas; have at least one parent who holds a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card at the time of application and was a Chinese national settled overseas at the time of the applicant’s birth; be proficient in written and spoken English or Chinese ( Putonghua or Cantonese); meet education requirements (e.g. a degree holder); and have sufficient financial means to sustain themselves without government support.

Under the scheme, applicants are not required to have an offer of employment in hand prior to arrival in the city. And acceptance allows candidates to change jobs without the need to apply for further employment visas.

For those who qualify, the ASSG application and approval process is fast, easy and takes only a matter of weeks, say Genie Lam and Eric Yau, Canadians who now live and work in Hong Kong thanks to the scheme.

Those accepted through the scheme are granted an initial stay of 12 months without conditions or proof of employment. Extensions beyond that time require an offer of employment or proof of an established business.

Dependents, including spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18, are also welcome to begin a new chapter of their life in Hong Kong.

As a SAR of China, Hong Kong operates under the principle of “one country, two systems.” As such, the city has a high degree of autonomy as well as judicial independence. Hong Kong is the world’s leading trade and business hub.

In 2016, f or the 22nd consecutive year, the Heritage Foundation rated Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy. The Fraser Institute has also consistently ranked the city No. 1 in the world in terms of economic freedom. The city is also rated the world’s most competitive economy, according to the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook 2016.

More than that, the city boasts museums and concert halls that host a wealth of cultural events from around the world; nearly three-quarters of Hong Kong is countryside; and the warm climate allows for outdoor activities yearround.