Launch of joint research centre with South China University of Technology
To monitor and study developments relating to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) initiative, Lingnan University and the South China University of Technology have teamed up to establish the “Joint Research Centre for Greater Bay Area - Social Policy and Governance”.
The centre facilitates exchange and research activities focusing on policy and economic issues. It is the first time local and mainland universities have agreed to collaborate in studying social policy and governance matters affecting the GBA.
The official opening ceremony was hosted on 18 May by Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Vice-President of Lingnan University, and Prof Wang Zhiqiang, Dean of the School of Public Administration at South China University of Technology. They used the occasion to release the findings of their first joint research project, entitled “Surveys on Youth and University Students’ Perceptions on Development Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area”.
The survey indicates that 50 per cent of the young residents and 45 per cent of the university students had a positive attitude towards development in the GBA. Nonetheless, only 35 per cent of the respondents in both groups expressed a willingness to work there. Around 20 per cent of young residents and 30 per cent of university students responded “Do not know/Cannot comment” in the survey, demonstrating a wait-and-see attitude towards working in the GBA.
The main research was conducted in March and April this year by means of a web-based questionnaire which obtained feedback from two distinct groups. One group was of 1,214 young Hong Kong residents aged between 18 and 35. The other group was 472 local university students who submitted replies.
Divided into three major parts, the research covered:
- Perceptions of development opportunities in the GBA among Hong Kong’s young people;
- Their willingness to work in the GBA;
- Their understanding and perception of policies which are preferential for Hong Kong residents.
Part I: Hong Kong youth’s perception of development opportunities in the GBA
|
Are you optimistic about the development prospect of the GBA? |
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|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Absolutely yes |
8.6% |
13.0% |
|
Yes |
42.3% |
31.8% |
|
I don’t know/ Not sure |
24.8% |
27.9% |
|
No |
16.4% |
17.5% |
|
Absolutely no |
7.9% |
9.9% |
|
Do you agree that “integration between Hong Kong and the GBA, and the development of the GBA will boost opportunities for young people in Hong Kong”? |
||
|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Absolutely yes |
6.5% |
12.3% |
|
Yes |
44.5% |
38.7% |
|
I don’t know/ Not sure |
17.3% |
20.4% |
|
No |
21.3% |
16.5% |
|
Absolutely no |
10.5% |
12.1% |
Part II: Hong Kong youth’s willingness to work in the GBA
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Are you willing to work in the GBA in the future? |
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|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Absolutely yes |
4.7% |
8.9% |
|
Yes |
31.1% |
26.8% |
|
I don’t know/ Not sure |
23.1% |
29.2% |
|
No |
21.8% |
21.0% |
|
Absolutely no |
19.3% |
14.1% |
|
In which industries would young Hongkongers be competitive if they work in the GBA? |
||
|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Innovation and technology |
45.6% |
18.5% |
|
Finance |
45.5% |
22.8% |
|
Professional services |
35.9% |
15.7% |
|
Cultural and creative industries |
34.7% |
16.5% |
|
Trading and logistics |
28.5% |
12.8% |
|
Tourism |
20.7% |
8.1% |
|
Manufacturing |
7.2% |
4.1% |
(Respondents could pick more than one option)
|
Which industries would you choose if you are to work in the GBA? |
||
|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Professional services |
36.7% |
14.1% |
|
Cultural and creative industries |
34.0% |
20.4% |
|
Innovation and technology |
32.7% |
14.2% |
|
Finance |
23.3% |
14.8% |
|
Trading and logistics |
18.7% |
9.7% |
|
Tourism |
18.2% |
9.0% |
|
Manufacturing |
7.5% |
2.3% |
(Respondents could pick more than one option)
|
Do you worry about not finding suitable jobs in the GBA? |
||
|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Absolutely yes |
17.6% |
19.4% |
|
Yes |
49.6% |
37.5% |
|
I don’t know/ Not sure |
15.7% |
20.5% |
|
No |
14.3% |
16.8% |
|
Absolutely no |
2.8% |
5.9% |
|
What are the other concerns that discourage you from working in the GBA? |
||
|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Unsatisfactory salary |
78.2% |
70.7% |
|
Internet restrictions |
76.6% |
80.2% |
|
High tax rate |
65.8% |
61.1% |
|
Difficulty in getting along well with supervisors and colleagues from the mainland |
65.8% |
62.2% |
|
Remote interaction with family and friends |
62.4% |
63.8% |
|
Not getting used to lifestyle there |
61.5% |
67.4% |
|
Education for children |
60.1% |
71.3% |
(Respondents could pick more than one option)
Part III: Hong Kong youth’s understanding and perception of policies preferential for Hong Kong residents
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Do you know the new policy about the possibility for Hong Kong residents to apply for a residence permit in the mainland with eligibility to enjoy corresponding public services? |
||
|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Yes |
58.1% |
33.1% |
|
No |
41.9% |
66.9% |
|
Would the new policy regarding preferential income tax treatment for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents working in the GBA make you more willing to work there? |
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|
|
Young residents |
University students |
|
Yes, a lot more willing to |
3.1% |
22.7% |
|
Yes, more willing to |
35.3% |
|
|
I don’t know/ Not sure |
22.7% |
38.2% |
|
No, it wouldn’t |
22.8% |
39.1% |
|
No, it wouldn’t at all |
16.1% |
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