Hong Kong to adopt measures to address aging issue

Hong Kong will adopt a series of measures including extending the retirement age to ensure adequate manpower resources, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Wednesday.

Delivering his annual policy address, Leung said the government has decided to extend the service of civil servants and will encourage other employers to implement appropriate measures to extend the working life of their employees.

Hong Kong is faced with shrinking labor force which is expected to decline from around 2018.

Leung said the government will enhance child care services to provide better support for women who wish to join the job market, and promote employment for the underprivileged.

Besides nurturing the local manpower, the government also plans to recruit more talent and professionals from outside Hong Kong.

"The government will implement a pilot scheme to attract the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who have emigrated overseas to return to Hong Kong," Leung said.

He said the government also seeks to attract a larger pool of young talent with excellent educational background or international work experience to come to Hong Kong.

The address, entitled "Uphold the Rule of Law, Seize the Opportunities, Make the Right Choices", was delivered by Leung at Hong Kong's Legislative Council.