The struggle between China and the West is turbulent. The Five Eyes Alliance has adjusted its policy towards Hong Kong, focusing on attacking people's hearts. It has relaxed immigration measures and accelerated the dispersal of Hong Kong people to foreign lands. First, there is the new BNO visa in the UK. Although it has welfare restrictions, it is enough to pave the way for naturalization. Canada is recruiting highly educated Hong Kong people, while Australia is retaining local graduates and high-skilled workers. Even though the epidemic makes it difficult to travel far away, the doors of many countries have been opened to high-quality immigrants. The wave of resignations in the professional sector is rampant. It is not difficult for early-career young people to leave, wearing square hats and holding BNOs in their hands. This makes people worry that Hong Kong is gradually entering the dusk.
Overseas jobs will also come back
A survey by the Youth Association's "Youth Entrepreneurship Research Database" found that one in four young people is considering finding employment overseas in the next five years. Young talents engaged in pillar industries have competitive advantages, more career choices and opportunities, and a higher proportion of leaving Hong Kong. The first choice is developed countries in Europe and the United States. The reasons are, in order, the pursuit of balance between work and rest, planned immigration, social and political stability, and liking the local environment. The overtime culture and crowded life are long-standing problems in Hong Kong, and they really drive away tourists. It is understandable if you become disengaged due to social chaos. Upon closer inspection, it turns out that young people's decision to seek employment elsewhere has nothing to do with economic factors. The development prospects are only ranked fifth and far behind.
However, it is premature to conclude based on this that the loss of young talents will hinder Hong Kong's development. Because the survey also pointed out that if they get better career development opportunities, obtain foreign nationality, Hong Kong's social and political stability is restored, etc., more than half of them will consider returning. Another survey by the same organization found that three-quarters of young people who plan to immigrate still want to contribute to Hong Kong, reflecting a strong sense of belonging to society. I believe that even though these young people are overseas, they still care about Hong Kong and keep up with social development. Those who never come back are only a few.
Talent mobility is a general trend
Brain drain is not a new issue. In the past, the focus was on calculating the gains and losses of each country. When Europe established the single market, some member states were worried about the cluster effect and that talents would be attracted to the most developed regions. As the years go by, more and more observations believe that talent-sending countries are not necessarily losers. First, remittances to their hometowns can earn foreign exchange for their countries. Second, many talents eventually choose to return, making brain circulation a problem. A kind of knowledge exchange, bringing the most advanced foreign experience back to the less developed home country. Historical examples include the revival of Israel by the Diaspora Jews, and China and India have also experienced the return of expatriates from the United States, resulting in the rise of their countries.
The global movement of people has become the norm, and many people are waiting for re-globalization after the epidemic. The younger generation is facing global competition. It is always good to take advantage of their youth, high mobility, and few social burdens to exchange, study, and work in foreign countries and see more of the world. The author studied and interned in London for two years and admired the moon in foreign countries. Later, I studied the Greater Bay Area and spent another two years traveling around the nine cities in the Pearl River Delta. I still think Hong Kong is good. Today we see a group of young people who want to venture abroad. In time, they will become a new generation with both Hong Kong feelings and international vision. Isn’t it a good thing?
Co-Convenor (Research), Path of Democracy
