Auspicious omen, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Secretary for Administration's 8-word rating: Population stops falling and rebounds: Population rebounds in Asia | One Country, Two Systems | Population
The rebound of Hong Kong's population has become a hot topic of recent attention.
On August 15th, the Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released data showing that in mid-2023, the temporary population of Hong Kong was 7498100, an increase of 152000 people or 2.1% compared to mid-2022, reversing the decline in the past three years. The SAR government stated that the increase in population during the period was mainly due to the return of post epidemic order personnel and various talent attraction plans, resulting in a net migration of 174000 Hong Kong residents in one year.
In response to this, the Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Chen Guoji, posted an article titled "Auspicious Signs of Population Recovery" on his personal account on Sina Weibo on the 17th, stating that "the current population recovery reflects that Hong Kong has emerged from the shadow of the 2019 'black storm' and entered a new stage of 'governance and development'. Coupled with stable economic development, people from all over the world are voting with their feet, casting a vote of confidence in Hong Kong.".
Chen Guoji believes that "as an international city, Hong Kong has always had high population mobility, and talents from all walks of life will follow random encounters and choose to settle in places with development potential. With Hong Kong achieving a major turning point from chaos to governance, and successfully overcoming the epidemic troubles and embarking on a path of comprehensive recovery, many friends who had previously migrated to other places have chosen to return to Hong Kong to settle. In addition, the SAR government has successfully implemented a series of" talent grabbing "new measures, which has also attracted many mainland and overseas people to come to Hong Kong, adding new impetus to the growth of Hong Kong's population.".
In the article, as the Secretary for Administration, Chen Guoji introduced a set of data: "In just about seven months, various newly added or optimized talent entry plans have received about 120000 applications, with over 75000 approved. Among them, the 'High Talent Access Plan' has received particularly enthusiastic responses, with over 41000 applications and over 30000 approved. These realistic numbers fully reflect Hong Kong's continued charm as an Asian international metropolis under the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy.".
On the 19th, the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po website released a commentary article by Yang Lishan, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China, titled "Population Growth and Driving Force: Strive for Governance and Prosperity". The article argues that "for returning Hong Kong residents, talents from all over the world, and visitors, Hong Kong remains a livable, business friendly, and tourist friendly international metropolis with extraordinary charm. Hong Kong is steadily advancing in a new stage of governance and development, with boundless potential. The SAR government must continue to do its utmost to work together with all sectors of society to seek development, promote the economy, and benefit people's livelihoods. Hong Kong warmly welcomes people from all over the world to come to Hong Kong to seize new opportunities and explore new experiences.".
Public data shows that the population of Hong Kong reached a peak of 7.52 million in 2019 and has since continued to decline, with the decline ending at the end of last year.
Ye Zhaohui also mentioned that the aging population situation continues to worsen. If mainland and overseas people can settle in Hong Kong, it will help alleviate the problem of labor shortage. The government also needs to retain talents, improve the social atmosphere in the short term, provide more development opportunities for young people, and improve the living and educational environment.
The Honorary Committee of the Hong Kong Information Technology Association, Fang Baoqiao, said that after the epidemic, many Hong Kong people stranded in the mainland or overseas have returned to Hong Kong, and he has also seen Hong Kong people who immigrate overseas and find it unsuitable to return.