Hong Kong authorities will negotiate with operators in Guangdong to secure additional places for elderly residents amid rising demand for cross-border care homes. The number of Hongkongers using the scheme has grown ninefold since the end of 2022.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said in an interview that 1,100 elderly Hongkongers were living in 26 residential care homes in Guangdong by March 2026 under the Residential Care Services Scheme.
He noted the figure had risen from 120 at the end of 2022, describing the increase as impressive and evidence of the scheme's popularity. Shenzhen and Guangzhou rank among the preferred locations for residents.
Sun stated that officials would renegotiate contracts with operators based on usage statistics, user feedback and service levels to expand capacity if needed. He emphasized that participation remains a voluntary choice for each individual.