In the first nine months of this year, Hong Kong has issued approximately 100,000 employment visas, marking a significant increase compared to the total number granted in the entire year of 2022, which stood at 38,559. This surge in visa issuance has been primarily driven by the newly established Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), introduced last year to attract skilled professionals and mitigate the effects of a talent exodus. During a forum, Financial Secretary Paul Chan cited a speech by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, emphasizing that "the competition of national strength ultimately comes down to a competition of talent." He pointed out that various economies worldwide are actively competing to secure high-quality talent and professionals. In this context, Hong Kong, along with its counterparts in the Greater Bay Area, aspires to distinguish itself on the global stage to sustain a trajectory of "high-quality development."
It's important to note that last year, the city faced stringent Covid-19 regulations, leading to travel restrictions for a significant portion of the year. Despite these challenges, the issuance of 100,000 working visas from January to September 2023 reflects Hong Kong's commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. Both Chan and Chris Sun, the labor chief, mentioned during the forum that the Top Talent Pass Scheme had approved approximately 39,000 individuals by September 30, further underlining the program's role in the substantial increase in working visas granted this year.
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