Hong Kong officials defend talent schemes, hail attraction of ‘best lifestyle’
Former city leader CY Leung has claimed schemes are potentially being abused, but ministers brush off worries and say talent keen to settle in city
Two top Hong Kong officials have defended efforts to lure talent amid concerns over job availability and the potential abuse of schemes, while one has said the financial hub offers excellent career opportunities even if it is not the cheapest place to live.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po told more than 260 students at an event on Wednesday that professionals were interested in settling in the city, judging by the data on the number of arrivals under government programmes.
“We never compete on being the cheapest location, but we compete on offering the best opportunities for people’s career development and the best lifestyle,” Chan said.
He cited the city’s openness, cultural diversity and tax system as reasons talent wanted to settle in Hong Kong.
The finance minister noted the city had received about 430,000 applications through its various talent admission schemes since December 2022, of which 280,000 had been approved, with around 180,000 individuals already having arrived.
A concern group earlier found that 22 per cent of talent polled in its survey had not secured a job after arriving in the city via various schemes last year. But Chan brushed off concerns about talent finding work.
