7. The Australian system is similar to that of Canada. Australia introduced a business migration programme in 1981 and an independent migration category in 1986. The global planning target has risen from 58,000 in 1975 to 140,000 in the current year.
Returning emigrants
8.
Many thousands of emigrants have returned to Hong Kong after obtaining the right to land or reside in another country. It is difficult to be precise about the numbers because not all of them use their new foreign travel documents when re-entering Hong Kong. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that around 80% of Canadian nationals in Hong Kong, and substantial numbers of Americans and Australians, are returned Hong Kong residents. As an example of the problems involved, the Hong Kong Government has estimated the number of Canadian nationals in Hong Kong at around 9,000 on the basis of those entering Hong Kong on Canadian passports, but the Canadian Commission believes that the figure may be four times that.
Impact of emigration
9.
Inevitably the subject of emigration has become a major topic of conversation among Hong Kong people. The direct impact on the economy thus far has been relatively slight: more significant has been the overall shortage of manpower brought on by the continuing high rates of economic growth. However, the middle management sector of the work force is thought to have suffered disproportionate losses which, if maintained over several years, could cause difficulties in maintaining efficiency. In conjunction with the private sector, reseach is being carried out to identify which specific sectors of the economy have been most affected by emigration.
10. The Hong Kong Government does not try to prevent people emigrating. Nor will it do so. Freedom of movement is an essential element of life in Hong Kong. The continuation of this freedom
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