[Poll] Stay or Leave Hong Kong

[TheRoadAhead]

Original Post Deleted

Where have you heard about SG capturing more business from the situation in HK? This is certainly not something I have heard besides what the general population would assume.

https://hongkongfp.com/2020/07/29/se...rime-minister/
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/16/sing...hong-kong.html

Eventually HK's tier 1 city status will unquestionably diminish over the long run (benefitting Chinese cities + other SEA cities such as Bangkok, Jakarta, KL etc) but it will take time

[TheRoadAhead]

What's worrying is not just the existence of the NSL. Some people said it's only there as a warning and to deter people. That might be true, but the police almost randomly posts search notices for American citizens living in the US for violating the NSL. What is the point of this except pissing off the US?
Also, the recent rumors about a Corona/DNA screening of the entire HK population. I think especially many expats here would not be very pleased if this is happening. Same thing with the "mainland help", medics sent over and so on. The government has gone into overdrive. This has nothing to do with national security anymore. The only reason for politics to make all this noise now is either just to show their loyalty to Beijing or they actually believe that this kind of stuff works as propaganda to HK's society.

My hope for HK is: This political shitshow ends soon enough as the dust settles, and while the NSL is here to stay, public institutions and the society as a hole can then continue to exist at a much better functioning level than they do on the mainland. This means they talk of HK as part of China, but effectively internal governance is still at an acceptable level for international corporations and their employees. If they don't, and people in HK will be increasingly subject to random draconian measures, then I can only see international companies scale back a lot, which means it would be time for many of us to say goodbye.

For sure, but how does it affect you?

And trust me HK is a much safer and better place to be compared to many other developed countries. If you were in the US, they would be finding as many ways as possible to void your work visa or prevent you from coming even if you had your work petition approved (the US has one of the strictest immigration in the world today for work permits). Remember that dozen of thousands of immigrants have not been able to renew their visas.

[mucaari]

For sure, but how does it affect you?

As you said, it will take time for HK's role to change. I see the point that we have to accept the political reality if we want to stay here. Also, we are guests, (at least I am, as I have not stayed for that long), so I can not want to change the course of what is happening here.

But, mandatory DNA tests for the entire population. Is that something you are willing to agree to? If the medical systems gets degraded to mainland level, is that what would make you feel safe if you have an emergency? Too poor to bribe the doctor, so you gotta wait till it's too late...
China obviously lacks oversight (or the oversight is destroyed by corruption), otherwise things like this milk-powder scandal would not have happened. If not just medics come from China but customs officers, will potentially hazardous products get into HK as well?

I am not saying that this will definitely happen. But the medics "help" from the mainland, civil servant's are told not to voice any concerns anymore and so on are signs that do not sound too good for HK's future. It won't affect me now, but I am afraid it will start to affect people very soon.

[mayechka]

singapore's regime now is worsen than hk, (better than china),
a newspaper like apple daily would never establish in SG...
people has no right to demostrate...
so if anyone SG is freer than hk, that's a joke.

[AsianXpat0]

singapore's regime now is worsen than hk, (better than china),
a newspaper like apple daily would never establish in SG...
people has no right to demostrate...
so if anyone SG is freer than hk, that's a joke.

but you do get free elections, which may or may not influence governance and responsiveness...

Some element of a mandate there, which helps quell tempers as well, at least in an Asian context.

Plus, what direction is HK moving in if you look at all the newsrooms?

Having said that, there are certainly arguments for more freedom of expression being desirable in Singapore too.

[Gatts]

singapore's regime now is worsen than hk, (better than china),
a newspaper like apple daily would never establish in SG...
people has no right to demostrate...
so if anyone SG is freer than hk, that's a joke.

Not really, in Singapore the government while not remotely democratic still works generally in the interest of its population and acts on its own. In Hong Kong all governance decisions are taken thousands of miles northwards.

[kimwy66]

I voted in this 2 years ago and chose 3-5 years.

Second redundancy in just under 4 years for my husband, hundreds been let go from his company due to stellar financial mismanagement yet again, and that's it. I can't see HK coming out of the downward spiral it has been forced into. Having a holiday, then back to pack and do loose ends. Horrible time to be trying to move globally, awkward for the teen after so long off school and at the start of her final two years. Refreshing to think of a new future out of HK though.

[AsianXpat0]

I voted in this 2 years ago and chose 3-5 years.

Second redundancy in just under 4 years for my husband, hundreds been let go from his company due to stellar financial mismanagement yet again, and that's it. I can't see HK coming out of the downward spiral it has been forced into. Having a holiday, then back to pack and do loose ends. Horrible time to be trying to move globally, awkward for the teen after so long off school and at the start of her final two years. Refreshing to think of a new future out of HK though.

Sorry to hear of your potentially stressful situation. Good luck and hope you have a better experience outside Hong Kong.

[eightfivetwo]

Not really, in Singapore the government while not remotely democratic still works generally in the interest of its population and acts on its own. In Hong Kong all governance decisions are taken thousands of miles northwards.

Completely agree.

But the world isn't just Singapore. Plenty of expats are enjoying Shanghai or Bangkok or Taipei, as there are many, many factors that go into choosing a place to live and work in. Hong Kong will always have its own advantages - a very low tax rate, relative safety, vast network of restaurants and bars, hikes, proximity to SE Asia.

Some, or many, will prefer Singapore. But the supply of expats from all over the world will mean plenty of settlers in both places.

Also, human nature always looks for something new. Live a few years in Singapore if you must, to help remind you of what you love about HK!

[shri]

I voted in this 2 years ago and chose 3-5 years.

Second redundancy in just under 4 years for my husband, hundreds been let go from his company due to stellar financial mismanagement yet again, and that's it. I can't see HK coming out of the downward spiral it has been forced into. Having a holiday, then back to pack and do loose ends. Horrible time to be trying to move globally, awkward for the teen after so long off school and at the start of her final two years. Refreshing to think of a new future out of HK though.

Sorry to hear this. From many of your posts, I think you should be well prepared to handle the turmoil, that this move in the current situation will bring upon you.

Like I've been telling a lot of people these days - Do hope we can catch up somewhere, some day when the world is a bit calmer.