Hong Kong and China in 1997: the implications for migration of elderly people - opportunities, constraints or impetus

Abstract

In 1997, Hong Kong changes from a British colony to a special administrative region (SAR) of China. Many people believe that residents' lives will be considerably affected. Hong Kong society has always been highly mobile and fluid in terms of migration, and it is only very recently that over half of the population have been born in the territory. Many elderly people in Hong Kong were born elsewhere and many Hong Kong families are fragmented. The potential impact of 1997 on the lives and conditions of elderly residents is only now forming a focus of concern. This article considers what may happen in the closing years of this century and early next when the SAR emerges. Evidence from a survey of 419 noninstitutionalized respondents found relatively few expressing a desire or willingness to retire to China. This article concludes with a discussion of why this may be so. A major reason may be that, with the increasing ease of visits betwen Hong Kong and China, Hong Kong elderly people might feel more comfortable with alternately living in China and Hong Kong instead of taking the bold decision of permanently living in China. -from Authors