"I got my first job ever in my life in Hong Kong, here was the place where I met my friends and colleagues. I also met my tutor who meant a lot to me in the university. I have my beloved family here, it's my second home. I will not leave here when she's going through a challenging time." 

Renee, a 31-year-old woman currently working in Hong Kong's financial industry, shared with CGTN her experiences living in the city. She and her husband Steven have known each other since they were in high school. They both came to study for a postgraduate degree in 2012, and now it's their eighth year in Hong Kong.

"We did think about going to study in the U.S. before, but we finally chose to apply for a degree here because of the GRE reform and given that Hong Kong is much closer to our hometown," Renee said.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government issued the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, a points-based immigration system, in February 2006. During that time, Hong Kong was opening its doors to attract more talented people from the Chinese mainland for work. Seizing the opportunity, Renee and Steven chose Hong Kong to pursue their life goals.

"My first job here was as a librarian in my university. I only earned around 10,000 HK dollars (1,275 U.S. dollars) per month. Meanwhile, my husband worked at a tech firm, earning only 3,000 HK dollars more than me. Those were really difficult times," Renee said.

Hong Kong is one of the most expensive places in the world for those looking to buy a home, not to mention its sky-high rental prices. Housing rent is undoubtedly the biggest problem for fresh graduates.

Renee told CGTN that she and her husband had lived in almost all kinds of accommodations in Hong Kong, starting from the infamous "coffin rooms" and village houses to public housing estates and the current 200-square-meter serviced apartment.

Now, they are planning to buy a house in Hong Kong. They hope to build an ideal environment for their two boys to grow up.

"I quit the tech firm and decided to work with Renee in the financial industry because, first of all, this way I could take care of her when she needed me. We had the same values, both in professional and matrimonial lives. Secondly, it meant I would earn more than before. But I did think about the risk of changing a job. I could have no income and might even risk not paying the rent. We had just gotten married at that time. It was really a challenge for me. However, life is all about accepting new changes and preparing for difficulties. As a husband, I should take more responsibilities for my family," Steven said.

Hong Kong has a unique financial position: As an offshore RMB center, it can help diversify offshore financial products, and support domestic companies going abroad. "We should not just focus on what we have right now. We should put our faith in what we can gain in the future. I believe Hong Kong has a bright future, both in terms of economic growth and cultural development. She is irreplaceable. That's why I choose to stay here and support her."

Renee and Steven have two kids and a successful career. They both think that Hong Kong accorded them a precious opportunity to jump out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves. Three words define their career pursuits: integrity, professionalism, consideration. They will keep working hard to create an environment conducive to their children's growth so that they can return to their motherland in the future.