There is definitely a world before and after Covid-19. For those aspiring to live abroad in Asia, the next world promises to be considerably different. The epidemic outbreak hitting part of the continent has left residents in limbo. Many expats have left their host country. The attractive territories are toughening their rules.
Delta variant, economic and political crisis, and loss of attractiveness
Formerly top most attractive countries for expatriates, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong are now welcoming less and less expats.
Faced with a pandemic that does not seem to end, and a changing world, Asian states seem to prioritize the safety of premises, even if it means losing their attractiveness. Conversely, others manage to keep their economy afloat, enough to attract foreign capital.
Hong Kong
Unlike other states, the turmoil in Hong Kong, leading to the gradual departure of expatriates, is not entirely due to the pandemic. Since June 2019, Hong Kong has entered the worst crisis it has ever known. The main reason: the return of the territory to mainland China, adopted in 1997 which has been contested since. Hong Kong has gone through successive waves of protests (notably 2003 and 2014), before the historic demonstrations of June 2019, against a bill allowing extraditions to mainland China. A political crisis, quickly overtaken by an economic crisis: loss of confidence in the stock markets, flight of foreign capital, departure of investors and tourists... Hong Kong is entering a recession. Many expatriates are leaving the territory.
The pandemic is therefore hitting an already weakened territory. If the Covid-19 seems to extinguish the flame of protest, it was suddenly rekindled in May 2020. Beijing is attempting a new coup, with a proposed national security law authorizing the Chinese security and intelligence services to install branches in Hong Kong. Expats feel more and more uncomfortable in Hong-Kong. They fear that they will no longer be able to work and live freely. Pro-democracy citizens share their fears, and denounce the proposed law, which would put an end to the "one country, two systems" system, which is the benchmark for relations between Hong Kong and mainland China. Indeed, Beijing intends to accelerate its control over Hong Kong. The effects of this coup are quickly felt: insecurity, dissolution of pro-democracy associations, press freedom curbed, resignation of local elected officials ... and more conflictual relations with foreign financial centers, which deplore this loss of privileged and direct contact with Hong Kong.
Expats are even more likely to wonder about a possible future in Hong Kong. The city is no longer appealing to expatriates. In 2020, just over 11,000 work visas were issued, compared to more than 31,000 in 2019 (South China Morning Post figures). And the pandemic is not the main cause: it is the recession and the political crisis that was the main cause.
The expatriates present in the territory seem equally alarmed. According to Asia Times, in 2021, 42% of expatriate workers plan to leave Hong Kong in the short to medium term. The problem: the law on national security, which entered into force in June 2020. Hong Kongers and expatriates see it as a threat to their freedoms, in particular, freedom of expression and of the press. Expats also seem to see an “anti-foreigners” feeling amidst locals and no longer feel comfortable in their host territory. They also regret the harshness of Hong Kong's policy in the fight against Covid-19. Long isolation (up to 20 days), even including children, ban on travel to visit their families ... It is the whole of Hong Kong society that seems changed by the multiple political and economic crises. Many expats are turning to other Asian countries, which, although also adopting strict measures to combat Covid-19, are more stable politically (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, to a certain extent ). Others plan to return to their home country.
Singapore
The coronavirus and its successive variants undermine the most persevering optimists. Expats are alarmed on social networks. Eldorados of foreign workers, Malaysia and Singapore seem today to suffer from growing disenchantment. Main reason: measures deemed too drastic to fight against the spread of the virus.
Globally, Singapore is demonstrating good management of the health crisis, with just over 1,800 cases of Covid as of July 29, 2021. But the sharp rise in cases in recent months has led the government to gradually abandon the strategy " zero Covid ". Vaccinations are accelerating; authorities hope to vaccinate 50% of residents by the end of the month. Expats, however, claim to have more difficulty getting vaccinated; priority being given to locals.
The Singaporean authorities, for their part, highlight the success of their vaccination policy, which allows them to lift some restrictions: gatherings of more than 5 people have been authorized in restaurants since July 12; Ditto for the possibility of playing sports without a mask indoors ... a relaxation of the measures which is not enough to calm the worries of expatriates. Like many other countries, Singapore is suffering the consequences of the health crisis. In economic difficulty, the state chooses national preference. Thus, last March, Joséphine Téo, former Minister of Labour (now Minister of Communication and Information) encouraged companies to "strengthen their Singaporean core." A blow for expatriates, who fear for their jobs, and for their life in the territory. At the same time, the government is raising, in 2020, the minimum wage required to obtain a work visa. An underlying tightening of conditions of access to the labor market, which brings back to the table the issue of the integration of foreigners.
Malaysia
Also hit by a rebound in the epidemic, Malaysia is adopting restrictive measures comparable to those of Singapore, or even more drastic. Confined since May to fight against the Delta variant, the country tightens the conditions of entry on its territory. Officially, entry into the territory is prohibited. As an exception, expatriates holding a Long Term Social visit pass can enter the territory. Holders of an EP1, EP2, EP3 or Resident Pass Talent title and the Professional Visit Pass will also be authorized, subject to validation by the Directorate General of Immigration. These conditions are quick to deter anyone wanting to settle in Malaysia, especially since with the economic crisis also comes economic gloom. Social activities remain prohibited (closure of leisure places); restaurants are only open for click and collect. The government is waiting for the number of cases falling below the 4000 mark to ease the restrictive measures. Although this seems distant, with more than 16,000 new cases per day (Reuters figures). The government is trying to thwart this epidemic outbreak - which affects all of Southeast Asia - by stepping up its vaccination campaign. Very slow at first glance, it has been on the rise since the end of May. The rate of fully vaccinated individuals doubled in less than a month (3.5% on June 1, 7.5% on July 1). As of July 29, it even reached 19.8% of the population (Our world in data figures).
If the authorities want to be reassuring, the findings are more worrying: giant cluster in a vaccination center in Kuala Lumpur (July 13), tragic increase in suicides (468 on July 1, against 631 for the whole of 2020, according to Free Malaysia Today), famine gradually gaining the country... Expats, on the other hand, are plunged into growing uncertainty wondering whether they should leave or stay.
Remaining attractive despite the health crisis: mission impossible?
Anyone wanting to settle in Asia are now turning to South Korea or Japan, although they too have been hit by this surge in Covid-19 cases, and are also adopting strict restrictive measures. South Korea and Japan, however, enjoy political permanence. Although regularly in open crisis with its northern neighbor, South Korea remains stable. The same is true for Japan.
In 2020, Vietnam manages to stand out, in particular thanks to its control of the pandemic. The media even went as far as to say: "Vietnam has eliminated the virus". And although they have applied a strict policy, with the closure of borders, Vietnam has many advantages: low cost of living, quality Internet network (highly useful for remote working), security ... But 2021 plunges the country into a new crisis. Since May, there has been a surge in the number of cases. The wave raging across Southeast Asia is also affecting Vietnam. The number of new cases is soaring, from 193 in June 1 to 9,965 in July 29 (JHU CSSE COVID-19 DATA figures) The country imposing strict rules, with a curfew in Saigon and Ho Chi Minh city. With some exceptions, foreigners are not allowed to enter the territory.
The Taiwanese exception
In the vagueness caused by the appearance of the Delta variant, only one territory seems to manage to maintain relative economic stability, quick to attract expatriates.
Like other countries in Southeast Asia, Taiwan saw a spike in cases in May, with an average of more than 563 cases per day at the height of the outbreak (JHU CSSE COVID-19 data). Since then, the number of cases has fallen below the bar of 50 infections per day (20 cases on July 20 - Reuters figures). At the same time, the government is stepping up its vaccination campaign - a campaign aimed at the entire population, including foreigners. Indeed, foreigners holding an Alien Resident Card or an Alien Permanent Resident Cerfificate can be vaccinated if they have a social insurance card. But the government is taking one more step towards foreigners: since July 29, foreigners over 18 years old residing in Taiwan, but without social insurance, can still be vaccinated, via a registration form online.
The government returned to level 2 vigilance on July 27 (until August 9), and gave some leeway to residents: closure of entertainment venues, but gatherings allowed, if there are less than 50 people indoors, and 100 outdoors. Wearing a mask is compulsory as soon as you leave your home. No lockdown, therefore, and partially open borders. However, faced with the surge in cases in Southeast Asia, Taiwan is cautious. From May 19 to July 17, the country temporarily closed its borders (exception: holders of a Taiwanese passport, a foreign resident card, or a special authorization from the Central Epidemic Command Center).
But it is economically that Taiwan stands out. While in 2020, the world sank into an unprecedented crisis, Taiwan resisted, and even saw economic growth, with a 3.1% increase in GDP. The Ministry of National Accounts and Statistics is even forecasting a growth of more than 5.4% in 2021. The recent rise in Covid cases should - according to the Ministry - not impact the Taiwanese economy unduly, especially in terms of concerns exports.
Formerly acclaimed for their management of the health crisis, Asian countries and especially, Southeast Asian countries, are suffering from the Delta variant. However, some states, such as Taiwan, are doing better than others. It is only in the few months to come that we will be able to assess the strategies put in place by the various states.
