Mainland Chinese was the driving force behind Hong Kong's expensive property price. They are now shunning the city after months of protests, reported Bloomberg (22 January 2020). According to data by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor, the number of enquiries from mainland Chinese for Hong Kong real estate plummeted in the second half of last year. "Whereas a year ago they were enthusiastic, mainland buyers today are cautious or downright skeptical," said Georg Chmiel, executive chairman of Juwai IQI.