Brain drain hits HK as unification nears

HONG KONG (JP): Faced with the possibility of an exceedingly unfavorable climate after unification, many Hong Kong people are now ready to emigrate. No figures on the brain drain are available here, but many estimate that some 70,000 people were looking for new homes abroad in the early 1990s.

Balfour says that a big number of Hong Kong's wealthier residents -- most of them businessmen and well-educated people -- have moved to Canada, the United States, Britain, Australia and some Asian countries.

With access to foreign passports, the wealthy are not at all worried because they can use the passports anytime and leave the country, he says. They have even sent their children to study in various countries, Balfour says.

In the meantime the poorer people, who are less fortunate in that they lack skills, money and connections, will have to stay in Hong Kong. "Whatever regime is imposed on them, they will have to accept it," he added.

Chang Chung Ming says most of the middle class families here have struggled hard to even be able to send their children to overseas schools. The mothers of middle-income families have gone to work trying to finance their children's study abroad.

"Some 50 percent of my classmates at the final grades this year have chosen to continue their study in Australia and Cana da," Chang, who passed with flying colors at the top state Leung Kau Kui High School in Tsuen Wan, said.

Emigrating and studying abroad seem to be a daily concern of the people in Hong Kong.

Students who come from poor families with no connections for supporting their study abroad are caught between a rock and a hard place. They usually borrow money from the government to cover their educational fees in Hong Kong, but remain hopeful that whenever they finish they will at least be able to work abroad.

The government provides school funds with no interest. So students can educate themselves. The main problem seems to be that many are choosing fields which will have no political implications. "They prefer to become medical doctors, teachers and professors, social workers, as well as businessmen, and are reluctant to become lawyers or legislators, for example, in order to not have to directly face China's power in the future," he said.

A recent poll on academic choices showed that the majority of Hong Kong students prefer business and social studies rather than political-related studies, Chang said.

Optimistic

In spite of Hong Kong's reluctance to face the coming changes, China is more than ever the engine of prosperity for the colony.

Everybody is now trying to catch a ride on that economic engine. Balfour said: "As long as the Hong Kong people are getting richer, and everybody here seems to be, there is no need to worry too much."

According to Balfour, the people's main worry stems from the possibility that their families will get divided because some of them will chose to leave Hong Kong. Sooner or later those who will stay will face a loss of relatives, colleagues and friends.

What is worse is that China is seen as a hide-bound communist entity. The perception is sometimes far worse than the fact.

"People here can worry when there is something to worry about. But they should stop worrying now, in order not to become inflexible people," he said.

Caesar C. Zalamea, president of Hong Kong's AIG Investment Corp. (Asia) Ltd., an insurance and securities business conglomerate, says he is optimistic China will be consistent with its commitment to making Hong Kong a prosperous enclave.

"China is not so stupid as many imagine. As you can see, the Chinese authorities in the mainland are now trying to improve both its own economy, while seeing Hong Kong as the prosperity source of the mainland. That's why there is no reason for China to change it," he told the Post recently.

Jeffrey Mark Alam, a lawyer of AIG Investment Corp., said China's entrepreneurs are now doing as well in their business as their brothers in Hong Kong have done. "Therefore they (Hong Kong) do not have to worry on the prospects of their business under Beijing's administration."

"We have experience in China, and we've found it very easy to do business in China. And I'm sure after 1997 they will prolong the good business climate for Hong Kong," he said.

In Shanghai, for example, you will find that people are as advanced as Hong Kong people now, Jeffrey said.

Yet, far-reaching changes will have to be made as the countdown continues toward July 1, 1997. (fhp)