Immigration chief defends Hong Kong's appeal to snooker stars amid tax avoidance criticism
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Director of Immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung has pushed back against criticism that top snooker players are moving to the city primarily for tax benefits, saying zero-tax Middle Eastern destinations would make more sense if evasion were the only objective. His comments followed the announcement that Jimmy White, the celebrated "Whirlwind" of snooker, had obtained Hong Kong residency through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, becoming the latest in a string of elite players to settle in the city. The immigration chief highlighted Hong Kong's public safety, education system, and travel convenience as key draws beyond taxation, even as one recent arrival, Ronnie O'Sullivan, announced plans to relocate to the United Arab Emirates while maintaining his Hong Kong status.
Key Points
- Jimmy White obtained Hong Kong residency through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and announced plans to establish a snooker academy in the city
- Since 2023, 138 current or retired athletes have come to Hong Kong through talent schemes, including more than 10 snooker players
- Benson Kwok Joon-fung noted that Middle Eastern countries with zero tax would be more logical destinations if players were solely seeking tax avoidance
- Hong Kong's attractions include public security, convenient transport, top-tier education, world-renowned cuisine, and a passport convenient for travel
- Ronnie O'Sullivan, who obtained residency in 2024, revealed plans to relocate to the UAE while running a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia
- Kwok stated that O'Sullivan had not "given up on Hong Kong" despite his Middle East activities
Why It Matters
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over whether Hong Kong's talent attraction schemes are functioning as intended or merely serving as tax planning tools for wealthy individuals. As the city competes with rival financial centres offering similar or better tax advantages, the government's ability to retain and attract genuine talent through non-fiscal means will be critical to the long-term success of these programmes. The departure of O'Sullivan to the UAE so soon after gaining Hong Kong residency may undermine confidence in the scheme's effectiveness, even as officials insist the city offers unique lifestyle advantages that pure tax havens cannot match.
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over whether Hong Kong's talent attraction schemes are functioning as intended or merely serving as tax planning tools for wealthy individuals. As the city competes with rival financial centres offering similar or better tax advantages, the government's ability to retain and attract genuine talent through non-fiscal means will be critical to the long-term success of these programmes. The departure of O'Sullivan to the UAE so soon after gaining Hong Kong residency may undermine confidence in the scheme's effectiveness, even as officials insist the city offers unique lifestyle advantages that pure tax havens cannot match.