Gao Jianchu (China Business Times): Even though reasons exist for the rich to leave China for other countries, ordinary people are reluctant to accept emigration on such a colossal scale. Most feel rather cheated by it. In some cases, company employees feel abandoned when their noveau-riche bosses decide to emigrate after time spent building up businesses together, to only find themselves struggling in the same financial position as at the start.

With today's stress on social harmony, it is imperative that the rich stand by the poor and for entrepreneurs to take on more social responsibility in the furthering of society.

We don't mean to practice equalitarianism, but we do need a more reasonable wealth distribution system that allows the fruits of China's development to benefit as many of its people as possible. In this sense, emigration of the rich becomes a direct social issue, and the government should no longer turn a blind eye to such a massive concern.

Tao Jianbin (www.cnhubei.com): Emigration of the rich is a hot topic. Some people think it's a basic right that bears no blame. Others see it as a patriotic betrayal. Both points of view are reasonable, but fail to reveal the fundamental reasons behind this massive occurrence.

As for the motivation behind the trend, some say these rich people are seeking better daily lives, low-inflation environments and good social security while others think they are after better education systems for their children. Some even argue that they feel Chinese society is restrictive and thus feel unhappy living in the country.

Since the Chinese have traditionally had special emotional bonds to the places where they are brought up, why are they rushing off, leaving their hometowns and country behind? Perhaps they need to pay a price for their decisions such as giving up their Chinese nationality. Leaving your place of birth seldom carries certain promise of reward, however, this seems to deter few in their pursuit of greener pastures. Thus, there must be deeper reasons behind the emigration phenomenon. Let's put patriotism aside for a bit. The departure of so many rich people somewhat implies problems in social equality, welfare and social security, education and asset security, etc., although other countries face much the same in terms of challenges.

We admit that emigration is a legitimate right. However, the rich are leaving at a time when China is plagued by a yawning gap between the wealthy and poor, in part brought about by decades of reform. This raises crucial questions regarding right and responsibility. Chinese law does not force the rich to stay and help those who are still living in poverty. However, they are expected to take certain social initiatives as the biggest beneficiaries of China's political, economic and social policies. Thanks to the "let some people get rich first" policy put forward by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, these people are now very wealthy. However, many of them are preparing to emigrate. When they are gone, who will be able to help those who still suffer hardships? Of course, some rich people are involved in charitable work and do much to set an example as part of his or her social obligations. If everyone plays his or her part in supporting one another there will be little worth blaming émigrés for with regards to motivations for leaving in the first place.

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