Surge in Hongkongers seeking to move abroad over past two months, property consultants say
- Golden Emperor Properties says it expects to sell 3,000 Southeast Asian units to Hongkongers this year
- Survey finds more than two in five Hongkongers are planning to emigrate
Leaving the special administrative region has always been on many Hongkongers’ minds. But frustration and fear over the erosion of freedoms that have led to huge protest rallies may prove to be the final straw.
As Hong Kong’s summer of discontent rolls into yet another weekend of protests, property agencies say they have witnessed a surge in demand for overseas residences over the past two months.
Golden Emperor Properties, an investment agency, will launch Park Regent, a freehold condominium project 20 minutes from the iconic Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, next weekend. What sets this launch apart is that Golden Emperor’s clients are interested in the project not for investment purposes – but to live in, once it is completed.
“[The clients] are 40-something years old, with one or two kids. They want to move the whole family,” said Terence Chan, Golden Emperor’s managing director.
“[The extradition bill] is like a trigger point for them. But they’re not moving yet. They’re preparing everything, so if something serious happens then they can move overnight.”
The agency held an information session together with alternative investment services provider Asia Bankers Club on emigrating to Southeast Asia last month, which attracted 1,000 people.