| Abstract | With return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997, every expectation was that the territory would be facing an exodus of people and businesses rarely seen before in its history. Instead the reverse is occurring, with the territory's population continuing to grow at its fastest rate since the late 1970s and new foreign businesses being established at about one a week. But more important than the rise in the British numbers in Hong Kong has been the increase in expatriate arrivals across-the-board, especially business professional and, of course, domestic helpers. On balance, however, Hong Kong has continued to be an attractive destination for people wishing to do business in the region, and that is a positive factor for the whole economy despite the short term rise in unemployment. |
|---|
