TNAG-1751-FCO40-2471-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 17

EMIGRATION FROM HONG KONG

We are watching emigration trends

carefully. It is hard to establish trends

with certainty: Hong Kong people are very

mobile, and often spend some years abroad

for reasons of study or training before

returning. But it seems that the number of

emigrant visas issued in 1987 by recipient

countries showed a marked increase over

1986. There are a number of reasons for

this, including increased opportunities

for emigration to some leading recipient

countries, particularly Canada and

Australia.

Concern about the future is no doubt a

factor in influencing people's decisions,

but it is by no means the only one. The

evidence is that many people return to Hong

Kong after they have obtained an overseas

passport.

EMIGRATION FROM HONGKONG