The Reality of “Weekends in Shenzhen”
Recently, a phrase often heard in conversations among Hong Kong locals is, “I went to Shenzhen over the weekend.” I feel this is not a temporary boom, but proof that a new lifestyle habit called “Northbound Consumption” is taking root.
Tourists Closing Their Wallets” The style of tourists coming to Hong Kong is clearly changing. The “explosive shopping” (bakugai) scenes seen in Mong Kok or Tsim Sha Tsui just a few years ago have completely faded. Instead, what stands out are light-footed travelers walking the streets with smartphones in hand. Their objective has shifted from “buying things” to “where and how to spend their time.”
📜 The New Hierarchical Structure Created by an Invisible “Immigration Policy” The Japanese government explicitly states that it is “not promoting an immigration policy,” but the current visa system effectively possesses a framework that allows the “relocation of the wealthy.” For instance, Investor/Business Manager visas and Highly Skilled Professional visas allow for relatively easy long-term stays if certain asset or income criteria are met.