For much of the pandemic, Hong Kong has followed mainland China’s strict “zero COVID” strategy, deterring professionals from moving to the foreign currency hub. other countries reacting to the erosion of Western-style civil liberties in Hong Kong after a new national security law silenced or jailed dissidents.
CHINA BLAMES COVID ORIGIN AFTER WHO ABANDONS EARLY VIRUS STUDY
People wearing masks cross a busy street in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay grocery shopping district, February 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Thursday’s announcement gave no indication of how many other people left for political reasons, but said there was a slight uptick in entries toward the end of last year after the government eased virus controls.
“We have detected that the population decline in the current part of 2022 has been reduced compared to the first part of the year, reflecting that Hong Kong’s population movement has begun to gradually return to normal,” he said.
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The government has predicted that points preventing staff from moving to Hong Kong will run out after it resumes without restrictions with mainland China and elsewhere.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has put in place measures to attract at least 35,000 professionals each year between 2023 and 2025.