Chinese nationals left their homeland in droves in 2023, and the exodus continues despite Western countries enforcing stricter immigration policies.
Rùn (潤), a buzzword on the Chinese internet in recent years that harmonizes with the English word “run,” symbolizes the growing sentiment to leave China.
Since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suddenly lifted draconian pandemic measures and reopened the country’s borders at the end of 2022, many Chinese have been scrambling to “run” away from China through legal and illegal immigration.
The deteriorating Chinese economy, rising unemployment, and rampant epidemic are significant factors contributing to the decision to leave the country.
On Jan. 14, Mao Yushi, a Chinese economist known for his lifelong advocacy of freedom, celebrated his 95th birthday at his children’s residence in Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Mao and his wife moved there last year.
According to his acquaintance, Cai Shenkun, an independent commentator and columnist, Mr. Mao confessed that he didn’t intend to return to China, where he had lived most of his life.
Mr. Cai posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Mr. Mao expressed regret that he wouldn’t live to witness a modernized China with freedom, democracy, and rule of law, where Chinese people have the right to vote for the political party and leader to run the country.”
But Mr. Mao is not pessimistic about the future. According to the post, he believes that “China will join the global community of freedom, embracing a competitive market economy and ensuring basic rights like forming political parties—free from fear!”
Surge in Chinese Emigrants
According to the U.S. Border Patrol, 22,187 Chinese crossed the United States from Mexico between January and September last year, a 13-fold increase from the same period a year earlier.
A common route to enter the United States is through Ecuador in South America, where Chinese nationals are visa-free, and then travel north through several Central American countries. The Darien Gap in Panama, including the rainforest, is one of the main routes taken by the Chinese.
Registration records of the Panamanian immigration authorities showed that between 2010 and 2021, only 376 Chinese crossed the Darien Gap, while the number increased to 2,005 in 2022 alone.
In 2023, the number of people crossing the pass has increased every month, from 913 in January to 2,588 in September, totaling 15,567 in nine months.
Meanwhile, the number of wealthy Chinese emigrating overseas is also rising.
Last June, the Global Wealth Mobility Report released by Henley & Partners, a UK-based investment immigration consultancy, estimated that 13,500 high-net-worth individuals—those with more than $1 million in investable assets—emigrated from China in 2023, topping the global list.
This figure increased by 2,700, or 25 percent, compared with the 10,800 Chinese billionaires who moved overseas in 2022.
The report also said that Australia overtook the United Arab Emirates as the country attracting the highest number of high-net-worth immigrants from the world’s wealthy.
Tougher Immigration Policies
As a result of the massive number of illegal immigrants entering the United States, lawmakers have proposed stricter border security policies.
The UK, Australia, and New Zealand—favored by Chinese immigrants—have recently implemented tougher immigration policies.
On Dec. 4, the British government announced a major reform of its immigration policy. The changes announced by Home Secretary James Cleverly included raising the wage threshold for work visas, raising the threshold for sponsoring spouses/partners, removing the right to bring family members on some visas, and altering the list of shortage occupations, including reducing the number of overseas workers.
Mr. Cleverly also said that if the new policies are implemented smoothly, they would result in a reduction of 300,000 people eligible to migrate to Britain in the coming years. The measures will come into effect starting this spring.
Figures show that the number of people arriving in the UK reached a record 745,000 in 2022, well above pre-epidemic and pre-Brexit levels. The majority of the increase came from India, Nigeria, and China.
On Jan. 22, the Australian government terminated the Business Innovation and Investment Visa Program (BIIP). Also known as the “golden visa,” it automatically grants permanent residency to applicants who invest AUD$5 million (about US$3 million) and above in Australia. Investors can obtain citizenship even if they stay in Australia for 40 days a year, and there is no need to learn English and no upper age limit.
The visa program was launched in 2012, and wealthy Chinese have since accounted for more than 85 percent of successful applicants.
The cancellation of the visa scheme was attributed to migrants incurring higher costs for Australian taxpayers in terms of pensions and health care than they contributed in taxes during their stay. Additionally, the program has been exploited by foreign criminals and corrupt government officials seeking Australian citizenship.
A family from Hong Kong arrives at Sydney International Airport in Australia on April 28, 2009. (Torsten Blackwood/AFP via Getty Images)
On Dec. 11, 2023, the Australian government announced that it would tighten visa requirements for international students and low-skilled workers and reduce the number of immigrants entering the country by half over the next two years.
Australia saw a record net migration of 510,000 in the last fiscal year, straining local infrastructure, housing, and living expenses. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil attributed the surge to the impact of international students.
Under Australia’s new policy, the English language requirement for student visas will be higher. At the same time, Australia has introduced a new “skills in demand” visa, which cancels the previous temporary skills shortage visa, encouraging more highly skilled workers while discouraging low-skilled workers.
Australia’s neighbor, New Zealand, saw a net increase of 118,000 immigrants last year. Although the absolute number of immigrants is much lower than that of Australia, the per capita growth rate of New Zealand, a small country with a population of less than 5 million, is higher than that of Australia.
New Zealand’s recently appointed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Dec. 11 that the government will work with the Immigration Department to ensure proper audits and checks to manage immigration numbers.
Some Escape Pathways Still Open
Although Australia’s golden visas are closed for Chinese tycoons, other options exist. Although the golden visa policy has been tightened in Europe, many countries have not canceled it.
Portugal’s golden visa is still available through investment, although the means of obtaining residency by purchasing a property has been removed. Greece has doubled the cost of a golden visa from EU$250,000 to EU$500,000 (from US$270,000 to US$540,000), and Hungary also reintroduced the golden visa on Jan. 24.
A plan announced by Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, on Nov. 1 last year indicated that Canada won’t cut the level of immigration. Its target for new immigrants is to accept 485,000 in 2024, 500,000 in 2025, and 500,000 in 2026.
