"Governance" Thematic Research Series
Hong Kong has experienced multiple waves of immigration in the past, mainly involving special social backgrounds such as future negotiations, political turmoil or confidence crises. In recent years, anti-amendment protests have triggered a series of social incidents in Hong Kong, revealing that deep-seated social conflicts have not been properly resolved and have once again aroused public concerns about the future of Hong Kong.
The decision to immigrate or not is never an easy one and involves many different personal and social factors. Nevertheless, choosing to emigrate to other places reflects to a certain extent whether people have confidence or hope in the future of a society, whether the local area can provide a secure life and future, etc.; and whether the government's governance effectiveness and governance performance can achieve The will of the people is also an important key.
In recent years, Hong Kong has experienced a series of large-scale incidents that have had a huge impact on the governance of the SAR government. From observation, young people are the dominant group and they come from different backgrounds; they express anxiety, restlessness and dissatisfaction during the participation process. If the situation persists or spreads, it is not ruled out that Hong Kong youth will lose their sense of belonging and may even consider leaving. In a severely antagonistic social environment, the struggles faced by the generation who choose to stay and build in Hong Kong and the motivation they need cannot be ignored.
A survey shows that young people in Hong Kong have a sense of belonging to Hong Kong and they also hope that Hong Kong can become better. Youth are the future of society; Hong Kong is facing unprecedented challenges. The phenomenon of the younger generation choosing to stay or leave deserves the attention and attention of all sectors of society and the SAR government. The shortcomings in government governance highlighted are a timely and worthy discussion. research topic.
This study attempts to explore the recent orientation and considerations of young people in Hong Kong when making decisions about whether to stay or leave, including their situation and needs in the current social environment. From the perspectives of experts and scholars, it also discusses how the SAR government and society as a whole can regain the vitality of Hong Kong, and Find directions that are conducive to young people's participation in society and provide important reference.
This study collected data from October to December 2020, including literature references and on-site youth opinion surveys. A total of 525 young people aged 18 to 34 were interviewed, and 17 young people were interviewed. case studies, and interviews with 5 experts and scholars.
Main results of the study
- A series of social and political events in recent years have once again triggered public concerns about the future of Hong Kong; a new wave of immigration seems to be gaining momentum. Immigration is a symptom, which reveals governance and confidence issues; the signs of immigration in Hong Kong society deserve the SAR government's serious attention.
- The society is dissatisfied with the government's policies, and the authorities' performance in handling public opinion has also been criticized; public dissatisfaction has further accumulated. As Hong Kong's social development becomes increasingly complex, it is urgent for the SAR government to carry out effective consultation, collect and analyze public opinion, and clearly explain policies to the public.
- Forty-four percent of the young people surveyed do not think they have hope for the future of Hong Kong, especially those who express their intention to immigrate; youth represent the future, and the SAR government has the responsibility to create a hopeful Hong Kong so that the younger generation can be happy to take root here. Create the future.
- Respondents with a university degree or above, or those with management and professional backgrounds are more likely to express their intention to immigrate. The flow of talent is inevitable, but the young people interviewed believe that the SAR government is not active in retaining talents, which is detrimental to Hong Kong's sustainable development in the long run.
- The young people interviewed have ambitions to contribute to Hong Kong; the SAR government and all sectors of society should cherish the enthusiasm of the younger generation in this regard, and actively explore to provide more channels for young people inside and outside the system, so that the aspirations and potential of the younger generation to contribute to Hong Kong can be fully unleashed.
Research main recommendations
- Carry out Hong Kong vision-building actions to collect young people's concerns and goals for Hong Kong's development in the next 10 years, so that policymakers and all walks of life can grasp and absorb the younger generation's expectations for Hong Kong in future projects, gather momentum, and let young people jointly create the future .
- The SAR government has established a central public opinion processing mechanism, making good use of various public opinion collection channels. Through continuous collection and systematic presentation of public opinion analysis results, etc., it helps the governance team to effectively grasp public sentiment in an increasingly confrontational society, and at the same time allow public opinion to be responded to. .
- The SAR government seizes every opportunity to reach out to young people and gradually narrows the distance between the two parties through sincere communication. In particular, issues such as governance and confidence behind immigration cannot be solved overnight. All parties should make every effort to help build more conducive A channel to promote mutual understanding between the government and young people.
