In September, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council’s “Data Perspective” revealed:

By mid-2024, nearly 100,000 Hong Kong residents aged 65 and above had chosen to settle in Guangdong, representing an increase of over 40% compared to the past decade.

Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Zhongshan have become popular retirement destinations for Hong Kong citizens.

A Hong Kong couple moved into this nursing home in Foshan, Guangdong one year ago.

They are very satisfied with the attentive care, comprehensive medical facilities, and diverse activities such as making intangible cultural heritage lacquer fans.

Currently, there are two main pathways for Hong Kong residents to “retire northward.”

For example, one resident pays for her stay out of pocket.

Another resident, after undergoing Hong Kong’s unified assessment for elderly services, moved into an accredited facility under the “Guangdong Residential Care Services Scheme” free of charge.

His accommodation, nursing services, personal care, and basic medical expenses at the nursing home are all covered by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Through the “Guangdong Residential Care Services Scheme,” a nursing home in Zhongshan Torch Development Zone, Guangdong has welcomed 30 new residents.

To alleviate pressure on waiting lists for local nursing homes in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department launched the “Guangdong Residential Care Services Scheme” as a pilot program in 2014. Recently, the number of accredited elderly care institutions has increased to 24.

Hong Kong’s “Guangdong Residential Care Services Scheme” Expands

Waiting Times Significantly Reduced

All 24 participating elderly care institutions are distributed across eight mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing.

High-quality elderly care services come with high standards:

To apply for accreditation as a service provider, institutions must be rated four stars or above in the Guangdong Provincial Civil Affairs Department’s evaluation of star-rated elderly care facilities and have at least two years of operational experience.

Strong Market Demand

Hong Kong-funded Elderly Care Institutions Expand Northward

The growing demand for “northward” retirement among Hong Kong residents is also driving Hong Kong-funded elderly service enterprises to establish operations in mainland China.

In Foshan, Guangdong, a subsidiary of a Hong Kong-listed company has established nine elderly care facilities and collaborates with Hong Kong institutions through “1+1 cooperation.”

Some Hong Kong enterprises have chosen to directly establish elderly care facilities in mainland China.

A Hong Kong-funded retirement apartment in Zhong

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council (LegCo) is the unicameral legislature of the Hong Kong SAR, established in 1998 following the 1997 handover from British to Chinese sovereignty. It is responsible for enacting laws, approving budgets, and monitoring the work of the government, operating under the framework of the Hong Kong Basic Law.

Greater Bay Area

The Greater Bay Area is a major economic and cultural hub in southern China encompassing nine cities in Guangdong province along with Hong Kong and Macao. Historically, these regions have long been connected through trade and migration, but the modern “Greater Bay Area” concept was formally launched by the Chinese government in 2017. Its goal is to create an integrated world-class city cluster to rival other global bay areas through enhanced infrastructure and economic cooperation.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a major port city in southern China that has served as a vital trade hub for over two millennia. Historically known as Canton, it was a key starting point of the Maritime Silk Road and the sole port open to foreign traders during parts of the Qing Dynasty. Today, it is a modern metropolis famous for its Cantonese cuisine and landmarks like the Canton Tower.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a major modern city in Guangdong Province, China, that transformed from a small fishing village into a global technology and manufacturing hub. This rapid growth began in 1980 when it was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone, which encouraged foreign investment and market-oriented reforms. Today, it is famous for its skyscrapers, tech giants like Huawei and Tencent, and as a symbol of China’s economic boom.

Foshan

Foshan is a historic city in Guangdong province, China, renowned as a cradle of Cantonese culture. It has a history spanning over a millennia and is famous for its ancient ceramic and handicraft industries, as well as being the birthplace of martial arts legends like Wong Fei-hung and Ip Man. Key cultural sites include the Foshan Ancestral Temple, a Taoist temple dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty (1078-1085), which is dedicated to the Northern Emperor and showcases exquisite traditional Lingnan architecture.

Zhongshan

Zhongshan is a modern city in Guangdong Province, China, named in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who is known as the “Father of Modern China.” Historically, it was known as Xiangshan and is renowned as the birthplace of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with sites like his former residence attracting visitors. The city reflects his legacy and the region’s role in China’s revolutionary history.

Guangdong Residential Care Services Scheme

The Guangdong Residential Care Services Scheme is a social welfare initiative in Guangdong Province, China, designed to provide care and support for elderly residents. It was developed as part of broader government efforts to address the needs of a growing aging population by offering services such as in-home care, community assistance, and residential facilities. The scheme reflects China’s ongoing adaptation to demographic changes and its commitment to improving eldercare infrastructure.

Zhongshan Torch Development Zone

The Zhongshan Torch Development Zone, established in 1990 in Guangdong province, is one of China’s first national-level hi-tech industrial development zones. It was created to foster technological innovation and advanced manufacturing, strategically located in the Pearl River Delta near major cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The zone has since become a major hub for industries such as electronics, healthcare, and new energy, playing a significant role in the region’s economic growth.