Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong, on Aug. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

       HONG KONG (Kyodo) -- Hong Kong's population has seen a 1.2 percent decline in the past year amidst Beijing's crackdown on dissent in the city and the pandemic-induced lockdown, local media Ming Pao Daily reported Friday.

       According to estimations released by the Census and Statistics Department on Thursday, Hong Kong's population as of the end of June saw a drop of almost 90,000 from the same month last year.

       This marks the biggest population decrease in the city since 1961 when the city began keeping records.

       A government spokesperson clarified that the decrease in population is not a direct reflection of emigration, and that other factors, such as COVID-19 restrictions and severe interruption of international travel, should be taken into consideration.

       Hong Kong has seen a mass exodus of its residents in past months following the enactment of the Beijing-imposed national security law, which criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

       In January, Britain began offering a route to permanent settlement and citizenship to holders of the British National (Overseas) status in Hong Kong.

       It is estimated that upward of 300,000 people will take up the offer over the next five years, according to a report from Britain's Home Office.

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