HONG KONG – More than 40% of a top United States business group’s members here said they plan to leave the city in a survey released today, highlighting growing concerns about China’s sweeping national security law.
Beijing blanketed Hong Kong in a broad security law last year to snuff out dissent after months of huge and often violent democracy protests.
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) survey, conducted between May 5 and 9, found that 42% of the 325 respondents plan to move away, with a significant majority (62%) citing the security law as a key reason.
Other reasons given include the city’s Covid-19 pandemic control measures, its future competitiveness, the high cost of living, and concerns about the quality of education as dissent is quashed.
“While people share their love for living in this dynamic city, they also reveal growing underlying tensions and nagging fears,” said AmCham president Tara Joseph.
“Previously, I never had a worry about what I said or wrote when I was in Hong Kong,” said one respondent in comments published in the poll.
Another cited an “increase in anti-foreigner sentiment in the media and government statements”.
Of those planning to move, 3% said they intend to leave immediately, 10% by the end of summer, 15% by the end of the year, and 48% within three to five years.
“AmCham strongly suggests that the government pay close heed to the sentiment of expatriates in Hong Kong and work towards allaying major concerns through a stronger understanding of Hong Kong’s international talent, lest the city loses competitiveness versus other business hubs,” said the business group.
A similar AmCham survey last August showed that 39% of the 154 firms surveyed have plans to move capital, assets or operations out of the city due to the national security law.
However, moving is a costly exercise, and there have been few signs that major US multinationals are about to pull out en masse.
Hong Kong authorities said the security law is needed to return stability after 2019’s protests, and argued that it will increase investor confidence.
Detractors said its deliberately broad wording and application have criminalised much dissent.
The vast majority of the more than 100 people arrested so far were detained for their political views. Bail is usually denied to those arrested, and those convicted face up to life in prison.
Yesterday, Hong Kong police chief Chris Tang warned that publishing “fake news” could amount to a breach of the security law.
“As long as you broke the law, we will find evidence to prove that you committed a crime. You can only wait at home for us to arrest you. But you don’t have to worry at all if you didn’t break the law.” – AFP, May 12, 2021
