Immigration is Hongkongers' personal choice: Carrie Lam

Immigration is Hongkongers' personal choice, and now would be the best time for those wish to work hard for the prosperity of the city, said chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Recently a great number of citizens emigrated to the UK, as its policy of “leave outside the rules” ended on Monday.

The policy allows those without a BNO yet to be granted LOTR status at the UK boarder. They are also allowed to live and work in the country, as well as to apply for a BNO within the UK.

Lam, when speaking to media, said the trend of immigration comes up once in a while throughout the history of Hong Kong.

She added people make different choices as they enter different stages in their lives, and it is a personal choice for them to emigrate to other countries.

Yet the government will defend their freedom to travel and right to enter or leave Hong Kong granted by the Basic Law, she stressed.

When asked what would she said to those migrants, Lam said a bright future awaits as the city's stability and order were restored by the national security law and the electoral changes.

The city plays an elemental role in both China's 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Greater Bay Area. Now would be the best time for citizens with a sense of belonging, who wish to work hard for the prosperity of the city, Lam pointed out.