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Why do so many locals want to live in Mainland China??

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Why do so many locals want to live in Mainland China??

Post by zzm9980 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 8:31 am

So this article was interesting:
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014 ... =chinablog

Key points for those that don't want to click the link:
  • 47% of Chinese respondents said they want to move, compared with a global average of 29%.
  • Singaporeans were the second-most eager to flee home, with 23% planning to relocate in five years
    followed by 20% for the U.K. and 16% for Hong Kong
  • Indian and American rich are the least likely to move, with only 5% and 6% of respondents saying they would relocate.
  • China is also on the receiving end: It’s a top destination for Singapore’s high net-worth individuals, with 30% saying they want to move to the Middle Kingdom.
  • The top reasons Chinese cite for moving abroad are better educational and employment opportunities for children (78%), economic security and desirable climate (73%), and better health care and social services (18%). Hong Kong is their top destination (30%), followed by Canada (23%)
So the fact that so many Chinese want to leave shouldn't surprise anyone. It may surprise some locals that Singapore isn't their first, or second, pick for a destination to go to. It probably doesn't surprise us foreigners.

What is surprising is that so many locals who plan to leave want to go to China. Is this the silent majority who aren't the ones bitching on forums and instead are too busy working and making money?

Less surprising is that people in India and the US are least likely to want to relocate. India isn't a shock, just read a few posts by WD40 and you'll understand. For the US, I guess much to chagrin of the rest of the West, people in the US tend to like it the way it is.

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Post by the lynx » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 9:48 am

I haven't clicked on the link yet but knowing the craze among mainlander Chinese to cross over to HK just to buy baby formula and other food items, I don't know why anyone would move into the hell hole. Granted, if you are filthy rich, you don't have to worry about food safety in China. Plus greasing palms are easier there than here.

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Post by Sergei82 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 9:57 am

Don't worry, if it was easier to immigrate to US, that would've been the number 1 choice.

Btw, the main reasons I hear for China (and Malaysia for Malays): properties are cheaper there + its close to Singapore + recent restrictions on property market in Singapore.

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Post by JR8 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:16 am

I tried to find the source report but wasn't able to.

My thoughts though:

The smaller the country the itchier people's feet seem to be, regardless of the country's wealth/GDP.

The larger the country, and the reverse seems to be true. The US and India have developed economies, politics, educational opportunities, and are geographically and culturally diverse. China is an exception as it misses more of those hurdles; I'm not surprised that those with the ability want out.* It appears to be the only communist country mentioned, and what kind of successful business person wants to live under that?

Why is China the destination of choice for SGs better off?
- Business opportunities?
- Cultural affinity?
- Sentimentaly/'It's my real homeland'*1
- Proximity to the Hello Kitty factory outlet store?
- The draw of being a big fish in a small bowl?



* It would be interesting to see comparative statistics for Financial/legal ability to emigrate vs % of population who say they'd like to leave, by country.

*1 Back in the 90s I dated a SGn-Chinese girl here. Her father was a dentist, they lived in D10 etc - well off. I think they were 3rd+ generation SGns, possibly much more, either way well established 'true-blue SGNs'. I remember during that time the family (4 of them) went off on what might be called a pilgrimage, to the father's ancestral village in China.

I recall how they described it, some place off in the middle of nowhere, however a tangible sense of 'homecoming', and a welcoming ceremony from the locals etc... It seems those ties run deep. Above a beyond the number of people who express a desire to emigrate to China, it would be interesting to know the number who actually go ahead and do it.

Ironically that girl emigrated to Europe, popped out a couple of children, and started up a thriving bespoke baking business. I wonder if at some point in the future, she and her family will make that pilgrimage 'back home' too.
Last edited by JR8 on Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:37 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by Nihility » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:17 am

There is a prevailing sense among many Singaporeans that it is harder to 'make it' in the west due to various reasons. Moving to China provides economic opportunities and a chance to succeed in a developing market where the local talent is just not there - i.e. the chance to shine. As most Singaporeans speak the lingua franca of the Mainland in varying proficiencies, job opps. are in ample supply.

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Re: Why do so many locals want to live in Mainland China??

Post by Wd40 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:21 am

zzm9980 wrote:[*]Indian and American rich are the least likely to move, with only 5% and 6% of respondents saying they would relocate.
May be because both India and the US are capitalist democracies and both have very high income gaps. When you say rich, they are really really rich in both these countries, relative to their respective middle classes. The rich love capitalist democracies.

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Re: Why do so many locals want to live in Mainland China??

Post by zzm9980 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 1:07 pm

Wd40 wrote:
zzm9980 wrote:[*]Indian and American rich are the least likely to move, with only 5% and 6% of respondents saying they would relocate.
May be because both India and the US are capitalist democracies and both have very high income gaps. When you say rich, they are really really rich in both these countries, relative to their respective middle classes. The rich love capitalist democracies.
Singapore and China both have higher income gaps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_co ... e_equality

But why do they love capitalist democracies? I'm curious. Maybe if I figure out this answer I'll also unlock the way to be one of these elite? :D

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Post by Wd40 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 1:23 pm

I just thought about it,I dont know but its my wild guess, both China and Singapore are more about the state than individuals. There isn't so much about individual glory in both these places. I have been in Singapore for the last 5 years and read newspapers quite often, yet if you ask I wont be able to name one rich and famous personality of Singapore. Same case about China, although I have to say that I dont know anything about China. The only person who comes to my mind about China is Jack Ma.

Now compare this with rich and famous personalities from both India and US. :)
The rich are celebrated in both these countries, but not so much in both Singapore and China.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 1:36 pm

You don't know who Sim Wong Hoo is? You're an IT guy? Even I know who he is.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by Wd40 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 1:39 pm

No I dont know, to be honest :oops: I know Piyush Gupta, though, CEO of DBS. :)

But my point is Singapore and you dont have "heros" in either self made millionaires/billionaires or famous sports or movie stars that ordinary citizens look up to. You ask a kid who his hero is, chances are it will be European football star or Hong Kong or Hollywood movie star. If someone is tech or business savvy it will probably be a Steve Jobs or Mark Zucherberg.

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Post by rajagainstthemachine » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 2:00 pm

J.Y. Pillai : has led Singapore Airlines to world renown. Singapore Airlines owes much of its international standing to the leadership provided by J.Y. Pillai. SIA's first chairman J Y Pillai and its managing director, C K Chong, are known to be powerful voices in Singapore

^^

this guy studied is an Alumini from my school :cool:
To get there early is on time and showing up on time is late

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Post by Wd40 » Mon, 15 Sep 2014 2:00 pm

Interesting article:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/neerjajetle ... any-myths/



[quote]So, that Ferrari which whizzed past you on Orchard Road was probably that of an Indonesian. And that high roller on the Baccarat table in the casino is probably a China “whale.”

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Re: Why do so many locals want to live in Mainland China??

Post by thismyvoice » Mon, 29 Sep 2014 10:44 pm

zzm9980 wrote:So this article was interesting:
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014 ... =chinablog

Key points for those that don't want to click the link:
  • 47% of Chinese respondents said they want to move, compared with a global average of 29%.
  • Singaporeans were the second-most eager to flee home, with 23% planning to relocate in five years
    followed by 20% for the U.K. and 16% for Hong Kong
  • Indian and American rich are the least likely to move, with only 5% and 6% of respondents saying they would relocate.
  • China is also on the receiving end: It’s a top destination for Singapore’s high net-worth individuals, with 30% saying they want to move to the Middle Kingdom.


    What is surprising is that so many locals who plan to leave want to go to China. Is this the silent majority who aren't the ones bitching on forums and instead are too busy working and making money?
The article said they questioned more than 2,000 high net-worth individuals with more than $1.5 million in total net worth. That is not really an exclusive group in Singapore. So they say, 30% of these people wants to move to the Middle Kingdom. Wonder whether the move is permanent or temporary?

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Post by Abel Ang » Tue, 30 Sep 2014 12:31 am

Where exactly in China?
China is an enormous land. The differences between the provinces are stark.
I am pretty sure when people say they want to live in America, they are more likely referring to California or San Francisco rather than Detroit.
The same goes for China. They are referring to those few tier 1 provinces like Shanghai or Beijing.

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Post by zzm9980 » Tue, 30 Sep 2014 12:39 am

Abel Ang wrote:Where exactly in China?
China is an enormous land. The differences between the provinces are stark.
I am pretty sure when people say they want to live in America, they are more likely referring to California or San Francisco rather than Detroit.
The same goes for China. They are referring to those few tier 1 provinces like Shanghai or Beijing.
Oh, I'm entirely sure it is for economic opportunity. Tier 1 city for middle to upper middle class. Tier 1 city plus a palatial house out of the city for the truly wealthy.

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