Although authorities attributed some of this to a “natural” decline — more deaths than births — experts said the figures also reflected an exodus that accelerated in recent years amid periods of mass social unrest that included anti-government protests and the pandemic of the coronavirus. About 113,200 residents left Hong Kong last year, according to the department, compared with 89,200 the year before. Figures include expatriates and other non-residents. Throughout the pandemic, experts and industry leaders have warned that the city’s strict Covid-19 restrictions will drive away residents, travelers and expats. Even as the rest of the world opened up, for months Hong Kong continued to close borders, suspend air travel and impose mandatory quarantines and social distancing measures, such as caps on public gatherings and limits on restaurant services. Mask orders remain in place, while public places such as beaches and gyms have faced extended closures during periods of high case numbers. The measures have devastated business, with some of Hong Kong’s most famous locations — including the floating restaurant Jumbo Kingdom — closing in the past year.”More than two and a half years of Covid-19 restrictions are taking a toll on business and economy,” the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce said in a statement this month. The group’s chief executive, George Leung, added that closing Hong Kong’s borders “suffocates any prospect of economic recovery” and called on authorities to come up with a “concrete timetable to reopen Hong Kong”. The government acknowledged the impact of its policies, saying on Thursday that flight restrictions — such as requiring all arrivals to be vaccinated, to test negative for Covid and to pay for quarantine in a hotel on arrival — had “cut off the population influx”. . This week the government relaxed the quarantine requirement, reducing the number of days arrivals must stay in a designated hotel from seven to three. The government said some Hong Kong residents may have chosen to settle elsewhere during the pandemic. “Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents who had left Hong Kong before the pandemic may have chosen to reside elsewhere temporarily or were unable to return to Hong Kong. All of these (factors) may have contributed to the net outflow of Hong Kong residents during the period,” a government spokesman said. But the government downplayed the population decline and appeared to suggest Hong Kong was still a bustling financial hub. “Being an international city, Hong Kong’s population has always been mobile,” the spokesman said. “Over the past 10 years, net outflows of Hong Kong residents … were on record for most years.” The spokesman added that the problem of departures due to Covid “could be resolved when quarantine and social distancing measures are relaxed” and that the numbers will increase due to the government’s efforts to attract overseas talent.
Political repression
Besides Covid, experts say another factor behind the exodus is Beijing’s political crackdown on the city. Following Hong Kong’s pro-democracy, anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law under which the government has cracked down on official opposition. Authorities have raided and closed news offices, jailed activists and protesters, ousted elected lawmakers, increased censorship of both online and print media, and changed school curricula. Since the law was introduced, many former protesters and lawmakers have fled abroad, fearing prosecution. Many individuals and families told CNN they are considering leaving because they believe the city has transformed beyond recognition. In the wake of the protests, some countries, including the UK, Australia and Canada, opened new visa avenues for Hong Kongers wishing to leave. Many former protesters and activists have also taken refuge on the self-governing island of Taiwan. The government has repeatedly defended the security law as restoring law and order to the city, arguing that Hong Kong’s freedoms of speech, press and assembly remain intact. The Security Act “quickly and effectively restored stability and security,” the government said on July 29, adding that residents “are relieved and happy to see that Hong Kong now continues to be an open, safe, vibrant and business friendly metropolis. “
