Lo Yuk-kuen, who graduated from university last year with a degree in engineering, can testify to the sea change in the economic and social relationships between Hong Kong and the mainland since the handover. Mr Lo, who joined a construction company after leaving City University, now spends more than a fifth of his time on the mainland.
'There have obviously been more job opportunities and economic activities on the mainland than in Hong Kong in the past few years,' he said. 'Many of my friends are now working in mainland cities.'
Mr Lo is one of a growing number of Hongkongers who have set their sights on the work and investment opportunities that became available as the mainland economy boomed. The trend contrasts sharply with the flow of people to countries such as Canada and Australia during the countdown to the 1997 handover.
The figures tell it all. A Census and Statistics Department study conducted in January last year found the number of Hong Kong residents working on the mainland had increased from 133,500 in 1998 to 228,900 in 2005.
Against the backdrop of a twofold increase in bilateral trade from HK$1.116 trillion in 1997 to HK$2.349 trillion last year, it is nearly impossible for a job seeker in fields such as engineering, accountancy and marketing to find work if he or she refuses to go on trips north of the border.
Another Census Department survey in 2005 showed that 472,900 Hong Kong residents are living or spending substantial periods on the mainland.
