Malaysia and Hong Kong deepen business ties to unlock new pathways for regional growth

Snooker star Jimmy White, also known as "The Whirlwind," has become a resident of Hong Kong through an official talent scheme and intends to establish a snooker academy in the city to develop local talent. The Immigration Department announced on Wednesday that White obtained his identity card and took up residency via the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, joining fellow snooker stars Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

White shared a video on the department's Instagram page, reminiscing about his appearance in a 1991 Hong Kong film with comedian Stephen Chow Sing-chi and expressing his hope to reconnect with his "old friend." White's compatriots, Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan, also became Hong Kong residents in 2024 through the same scheme.

Speaking in the video about his future plans, White said he wants to promote snooker in Hong Kong by potentially opening a snooker academy to find and nurture local talent. White also mentioned his fond memories of Hong Kong in the early 1990s, when he appeared in a comedy film called "Legend of the Dragon" alongside Chow. He expressed his love for the city, telling the South China Morning Post that it is his "favorite city in the world."

White recalled his successful years in Hong Kong during the 1980s, winning the 1988 Hong Kong Masters at Queen Elizabeth Stadium and reaching the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open in 1989. Hong Kong has been actively working to attract talent to the city through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, which was introduced in 2006.

Since its inception, over 31,918 people from mainland China, Canada, Australia, the United States, and other countries have relocated to Hong Kong without a prior employment offer, according to departmental data. The majority of these successful applicants were from mainland China.