Hong Kong Migration Report

Data from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department shows that the number of immigration from Mainland China has raised to 266,577, with 4.1% of total population in 2011(CSD, 2012). It has attracted many people’s interest that Hong Kong has accepted many immigrants especially mainland Chinese in the past decades. Generally, immigration refers to people who move into Hong Kong and get a permanent resident. In terms of many researches, people from other parts of the world but mainly from mainland China immigrate to Hong Kong for four main reasons, which are better education, good social benefits, a lower tax rate and cultural similarity. Meanwhile, immigration brings both positive and negative effects on Hong Kong, which are economic growth,

Hong Kong is a small island that is located on the south of China so that the distance gives a unique advantage for Mainlander. According to Sing Tao Daily(2017), Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said that culture in Hong Kong and Mainland come from the same origin; besides, Mainland culture is always be an indispensable part of Hong Kong culture. Furthermore, culture in Hong Kong is thought to be more diversified and open than in Mainland China; therefore, such an international culture environment is also an attractive point for immigration. Another consideration may be language. Most of local people speak Cantonese in Hong Kong, which is also spoken by a part of Mainland Chinese. According to Thematic Report(CSD, 2011), over 75% of new immigration used to speak Cantonese before they immigrate to Hong Kong. Thus, both geography and culture make Hong Kong become a most popular immigration place for Mainland

First of all, in response to the increasing immigration number, restraints on investment immigration should be carried out and be enforced. As for the high property price, the property bubble and people’s living conditions are the most important concerns. A survey by US-based analysts MSCI shows that the average increasing rate of property price 9.9% is great but also dangerous, it may forecast the economic bubbles in Hong Kong property market (Gray, 2015). Therefore, limitation of housing investment should be come out. Discrimination and exclusion should be considered in a long-term problem. Chui(2002) suggested that Hong Kong government and some other relevant organizations and department are supposed to increase and emphasize the ethnic commonality between the local residents and new Mainland Chinese immigrants as well as the future potential contribution that Chinese immigration will