TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Saturday (Nov. 16) that government policies have led to an increase in the number of people from Hong Kong and Macau remaining in Taiwan for work after graduation.

The Deputy Director of MAC’s Hong Kong, Macao, Inner Mongolia, and Tibet Affairs Office Wei Hsu-chuan (魏淑娟) said people who are familiar with Taiwan’s language and culture “are exactly the talents needed” for industrial development and expansion of overseas enterprises, per CNA. She said policies to recruit students and professionals from Hong Kong and Macau were created for this reason.

Wei said as a result, 1,049 work permits were granted to Macau people and Hongkongers between January and September. She said this is about 13% more compared to the same period in 2023.

Wei said the government has relaxed requirements for individuals from these territories seeking certain jobs. It has also removed limits on the number of people who can apply to be assessed for a work permit through the government’s online system, and broadened the government’s points-based system for applicants.

Hong Kong student Yen Hui-shih (嚴慧詩) stayed in Taiwan to work after graduating last year and now works at National Cheng Kung University’s Office of International Affairs.

Yen said Taiwan’s working environment, pay, and benefits are quite different to those in Hong Kong. She advised students from Hong Kong and Macau to carefully assess their goals before making career decisions.