Following China's WTO accession, the ties between Hong Kong and the PRD will be further facilitated. Also, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Tung Chee Hwa in his 2003 Policy Address highlighted the importance of expediting economic integration with the PRD in initiating new areas of cooperation.  This indicates the significance of closer economic ties between Hong Kong and the PRD.

 It is anticipated that the opportunity for economic development will greatly increase in line with closer economic ties between Hong Kong and the PRD.  Whether Hong Kong young people can make good use of this opportunity and seek a career on the PRD, has raised widespread concern.

 The Survey was conducted from 15 to 27 January 2003.  By random sampling, 1501 Hong Kong young people aged 15 to 34, were successfully polled, yielding a response rate of 29%, with a standard error of ± 1.3%.  Four focus group interviews with young people and one focus group interview with parents were conducted from January to March 2003.  Meanwhile, a total of 11 youth who had experiences working, studying or joining exchange programs in the PRD were interviewed.  They were aged 20 to 27.

 The major findings are as follows:

 1.     Attitude towards Working in the PRD

 (a)     Over 60% of the respondents claimed that they had less familiarity with the PRD, and over 30% claimed they had a poor impression of the PRD.

 (b)     Although most respondents agreed that working in the PRD would become a major trend, a great number of respondents indicated that they would only consider working in the PRD given that they could not find a job in Hong Kong.  Only 15.2% of the respondents claimed that they would consider working in the PRD.

 (c)     Most respondents thought that Job Stability and Easy Access to Hong Kong were important when considering working in the PRD.  Better Pay and Extra Allowances were also important factors.

 (d)      Family's attitude posed a factor influencing respondents' attitude towards working in the PRD, but not a major factor.

(e)                 (e)     Of the 227 youth who considered working in the PRD, most claimed that they would rent a flat / buy a property for their residence, and 23.2% would consider establishing their own family in the PRD. 

2.        Assess Competitiveness

(a)                   (a)     Among the 7 working abilities, Hong Kong youth believed that they performed better than their counterparts on the Mainland in 5 specific areas.

 (b)   Among the 4 working attitudes, Hong Kong youth considered they performed better in 3 specific areas.  Over 70.0% believed that youth on the Mainland had a stronger sense of endurance. 

3.     Difficulties Encountered and Support Needed

(a)                 (a)     If working in the PRD, the rating of "personal safety" was the highest concern.

 (b)     Most respondents desired to see more substantial support for working in the PRD.

 The major observations from the findings are as follows:

1.      The number of Hong Kong people working on the Mainland has been   increasing; particularly amongst those with a higher level of education, or professional qualifications. 

2.      Most respondents regarded Hong Kong as their base for development; working on the Mainland was regarded as an alternative.

3.     Statistically, a significant relationship was recorded between respondents' personal background, their familiarity with the PRD, their impression of the PRD and their consideration to work in the PRD.

            4.     Respondents expected a high pay when considering working in the PRD.  However, a case interviewee said that as a fresh graduate, youth should put "opportunity for development" above "pay".

            5.     Of the youth who considered working in the PRD, a greater number of respondents claimed that they would rent a flat / buy a property for their residence, and a certain number would consider setting up their own family in the PRD.  Yet, in the case interviews, some respondents felt that life in the PRD was boring.

            6.      Most respondents believed that Hong Kong youth performed better than their counterparts on the Mainland.  Youth with working experience on the Mainland pointed out that youth in Hong Kong had the desire for a better quality working culture; believing that they still had competitive edge even though their counterparts had been growing competitive.

            7.     Respondents, either from the Survey or from the group discussions, were concerned about "personal safety", "environment and hygiene" and "the rule of law" on the Mainland.

            8.      Most respondents valued substantial support when working in the PRD.  Besides, youth in the group discussions also suggested that the government and voluntary organizations provide more job information and set up an office in the PRD to help youth solve problems while working in the PRD.

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