Hong Kong leader says city’s brain drain ‘unarguable’

By: 3 years ago

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam listens to reporters’ questions during a news conference in Hong Kong, China, March 21, 2022. REUTERS

HONG KONG — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said it was “unarguable” that the global financial hub was seeing a brain drain due to stringent coronavirus rules, but said she valued the city’s international status and envisioned a “better development” after the pandemic.

Lam’s comments come amid a backlash from businesses and residents who see the rest of the world shifting to living with the virus while Hong Kong officially sticks to a “dynamic zero” COVID-19 strategy which seeks to curb all outbreaks as soon as they occur.

Lam said no one valued the international status of Hong Kong more than herself, but the government had to adopt anti-pandemic measures to protect residents.