Unnecessary To Fixate On Singapore: CY Leung

Hong Kong's Covid quarantine policies have led to talent and corporations temporarily moving away from the SAR to Singapore, former Chief Executive CY Leung said on Saturday, adding that people should not fixate on the Lion City.

The territory has sought to stem a brain drain with a new visa scheme to woo global talent, unveiled by city leader John Lee in his policy blueprint. Singapore also launched a similar scheme to lure foreign talent.

On a Commercial Radio programme, Leung said the exodus of talent to the city-state was brief.

"How many more immigrants can [Singapore] attract to help with its economic development without causing resentment among its people?" Leung questioned.

"We should mind our own business. We have quite a lot of opportunities for development on the mainland...I think it's not necessary to keep mentioning Singapore. It has its own development opportunities, and we have ours," he added.

Leung also urged people visit the mainland as soon as possible to catch up and learn about its latest developments, following the resumption of quarantine-free, cross-border travel.

He said people should see for themselves how rapid the mainland's development has been over the past few years, instead of simply reading or hearing about it in Hong Kong.

Leung added that he would lead a delegation of 80 people to visit Nansha, which he hoped could lead to an "explosive development" in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.