Maybe. I am originally from HK, so I understand the frustration there. However, this is more about forcing people to go back to less developed cities and towns where they might have a residency there. Also, removing the so-called “low end people” the officials are able to reclaim the lands and redevelop the area. One thing to note here is the Chinese officials in Beijing has been removing signs that don’t fit certain guidlines forcibly, which shows the officials’ desire to maintain the city with what I considered as “urban class system” - you don’t get to live in Beijing / Shanghai unless you meet such and such criteria.