At the beginning of 2006, the Hong Kong government will implement a new plan to allow highly qualified Chinese mainlanders to move to Hong Kong.  Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the new policy on December 1, 2005.  The measure will permit Chinese mainlanders to come to Hong Kong without a work permit or an offer of employment.  These qualified mainlanders will be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for 12 months while looking for a job or deciding to go into business for themselves.  The government will evaluate the candidate´s performance and employment status at the end of the 12 month period, and will then decide whether the candidate can stay in Hong Kong or must return to the mainland. 

In order to determine which candidates are considered "qualified," the government is considering implementing a points-based system that evaluates candidates´ educational background and qualifications, work experience, and skill sets.  The Deputy Secretary for Security, Michael Wong Wai-lun, commented that the government will work with employers to determine what kind of employees are in the greatest demand.  Mainland candidates will be given more points if their experience coincides with the jobs that are in highest demand.

Some critics have argued that by bringing in new talented candidates, it will worsen the unemployment situation in Hong Kong.  However, the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce insists that new talented candidates will help fill employment gaps in certain industries.  More specifically, the hospitality industry in Hong Kong has been struggling to fill its positions and the Hong Kong Hotels Association strongly supports this program to help bring new talent into the Hong Kong workplace.