Seven-time snooker world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan said "good food, good friends, and being somewhere I am happy" were the driving force behind his decision to take up Hong Kong residency under the city's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.
The Director of Immigration of the HKSAR, Kwok Joon-fung, posted a video on social media on Thursday (Oct. 31) announcing the 48-year-old Englishman's move, hours before he appeared at a press conference in Macao to publicize an exhibition tournament that will be held there over Christmas.
Speaking to Kwok in a video, the snooker star called the city "a great place to live", while acknowledging that the "[low] tax is also a good thing".
He revealed that he will settle in Hong Kong in four years to facilitate tournaments in Asia, intends to learn Cantonese to integrate into Hong Kong, and will endeavor to promote billiards in Hong Kong.
In the video, O'Sullivan appeared to go through the Hong Kong Resident Channel to the Immigration Department counter for immigration clearance, and the customs officer said in English, "Welcome to Hong Kong." O'Sullivan responded in Putonghua, "Thank you! Xie Xie!"
Related News:
Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan becomes HK resident through talent scheme
Yao Ming steps down as president of Chinese Basketball Association
Comment