ABSTRACT
According to the “one country, two systems” doctrine, Hong Kong enjoys a very high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong can decide its own policies except for issues concerning foreign policy and national defence. Although there is no authoritative and representative survey data on the matter, we have ample anecdotal evidence of Hong Kong’s power of attraction vis-a`-vis citizens of the Chinese mainland. To reference just one example: despite rigorous border controls, close to 36,000 pregnant Chinese women crossed the border to give birth in Hong Kong in 2011, thereby obtaining residence rights for their offspring.42 Compared to China’s richest cities, Shanghai and Beijing, Hong Kong remains far advanced economically. In 2013, Hong Kong’s gross domestic product per capita was US$38,124,43 while Beijing’s stood at US$15,422 and Shanghai’s at US$14,845.44 Furthermore, there is an independent judiciary, a free press, and a vibrant civil society.
