Many US Firms Looking To Leave HK: AmCham Poll

Just over half the respondents to a new survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) say they are considering leaving Hong Kong due to concerns about the new national security law.

In what it calls a "temperature test" of members' sentiments, Amcham surveyed 183 members between July 6 and 8 – representing around 15 percent of its total membership.

Of the respondents, 41 percent said they're extremely concerned about the new law, while another 37 percent said they're somewhat concerned.

Asked what specific concerns they have, most respondents said they were worried about the ambiguity in the scope and enforcement of the law, its effect on the independence of the judiciary, as well as the potential loss of freedoms.

“Hong Kong will no longer be a platform for investment flows and sanctuary to house contractual agreements because the rule of law no longer exists”, one respondent told AmCham, with another saying “this is nothing less than the end of One Country, Two Systems”.

Over 51 percent of respondents told the chamber that the new law makes them feel less safe living and working in Hong Kong, and a similar percentage said they personally are considering leaving the city in the future.