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According to various surveys conducted by the Census and Statistics Department over the past decade, the number of Hong Kong residents working on the Mainland has been on the increase.  The figures show a two-fold rise, from 52,000 people in 1988 to around 157,000 in 1998.

It is anticipated that as China gains access into the World Trade OrganizationWTO), the opportunity for economic development will significantly increase.  Whether Hong Kong young people can make good use of this opportunity and seek a career on the Mainland, has raised widespread concern.  This study focuses on the views of young people on this issue and concentrates on three particular areas: 

• The impact of China's entry into the WTO on employment opportunities for Hong Kong young people;

• The situation of Hong Kong young people working on the Mainland and the problems they encountered;

• Youth's attitude towards working on the Mainland.

This study has been conducted through:

• Interviews with scholars and experts concerned;

• Opinion surveys of young people in Hong Kong;

• In-depth interviews with youth who have work experience on the Mainland.  

It is hoped that this study will provide recommendations on training strategies and policies on the issue of young people in search of employment on the Mainland. 

A total of 20 scholars and experts were interviewed between February and March 2001.  Meanwhile, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 youth, 13 males and 7 females aged between 23 and 38, who have worked on the Mainland.

An opinion poll was conducted from 27 February to 6 March 2001, by random sampling.  A total of 1,023 young people aged from 18 to 39 were successfully interviewed by phone. The success rate was 48.5%. 

The major findings are as follows:  

1. People working on the Mainland are mainly the employees of companies in Hong Kong.  The number of young people with a higher level of education, or a professional qualification, working on the Mainland is on the rise.  

2.  It is believed that China's entry into the WTO will especially benefit people with a higher level of education.  Youth who possess good knowledge both in international practices as well as in customs and culture on the Mainland, have special skills and are willing to be relocated to remote areas, have fair chances of being employed on the Mainland. 

3. As a result of China's entry into the WTO and the globalization of world economy, the mobility of manpower resources becomes the main trend in the labor market.  Youth should build up their international awareness and be prepared to work outside Hong Kong.  There is a need to better equip themselves and to become multi-talent mobile workers so as to adapt to the changing work environment. 

4. Most respondents from the youth poll survey believe that following China's entry into the WTO, working on the Mainland will be the main trend in Hong Kong's labor market.  Forty-six percent of the respondents hold a positive attitude to working on the Mainland.  

5.  Most respondents expect too high a pay and benefits when considering working on the Mainland, and have little knowledge about the keen competition in the labor market. 

6. Most respondents think that youth in Hong Kong have better working ability and working attitude than young people on the Mainland.  However, youth with work experience on the Mainland give lower rating to youth in Hong Kong. 

7. Most respondents do not prepare well for finding employment on the Mainland.  Results from the case interviews show that youth with work experience on the Mainland have a higher sense of the competition and, as a result, they are more driven towards education and self-improvement. 

In view of the above discussions, the Federation recommends that:  

1.  The government should collect data and oversee the developments in this field, in order to establish long-term human resource and training strategies.  

2. Exchange and exposure programs with the Mainland should be introduced to primary and secondary levels of education. 

3.  Universities and business sectors should continue to provide more training opportunities for the youth. 

4.  The authorities and voluntary organizations concerned, should consider setting up a Resource Center providing young people who are seeking employment on the Mainland with information about trends and participation channels within Mainlandˇs market. 

5. As a result of the globalization of world economy, the mobility of manpower resources becomes the main trend.  Creating international awareness among youth and enabling them to become multi-talent mobile workers is a matter of concern. The emphasis on improving competitiveness, work ability and work attitude should be placed in different education levels.  Both education and youth should work together in these areas.  

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