Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying has urged the government to disclose data regarding its talent policy to address public concerns over the short- and long-term impact on the city’s capacity, warning the number of professionals opting to renew their visas could be as high as 60,000.
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A think tank also said on Monday, following Leung’s appeal a day before, that authorities should review the talent schemes and ensure they align with long-term local workforce demands.
Leung said it was natural for Hongkongers to raise concerns about how the talent policy would affect the city in the short, medium and long run, in terms of demand, supply and allocation of education, housing and medical resources.
“The most frequently asked question is: among half of the talent who voluntarily gave up their visa renewal, have any of them used their status to send their children to study in Hong Kong? If yes, do they need to withdraw from school?” he said.
Leung, now a vice-chairman of the country’s top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and a state leader, also cited government data released on Friday as “not comprehensive”.
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Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han had said on Friday that 13,678 visas under the Top Talent Pass Scheme had expired as of July 31, with 7,394 or 54 per cent submitting applications for an extension. Another 2,305 individuals had also applied for renewal before their visas expired.