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Wealthy Chinese Flee China, Taking Fortunes With Them

<p>The U.S. is their favorite destination.</p>
Shoppers pose for a picture in front of a Chanel luxury boutique at the IFC Mall in Shanghai.
Here today, gone tomorrow. Shoppers pose for a picture in front of a Chanel luxury boutique at the IFC Mall in Shanghai.CARLOS BARRIA / Reuters
/ Source: CNBC.com

Do the wealthy Chinese know something we don't?

A new report shows that 64 percent of Chinese millionaires have either emigrated or plan to emigrate—taking their spending and fortunes with them. The United States is their favorite destination.

The report from Hurun, a wealth research firm that focuses on China, said that one-third of China's super rich—or those worth $16 million or more—have already emigrated.

The data offer the latest snapshot of China's worrying wealth flight, with massive numbers of rich Chinese taking their families and fortunes overseas. Previous studies show the main reasons rich Chinese are leaving is to pursue better educations for their kids, and to escape the pollution and overcrowding in urban China.

But analysts say there is another reason the Chinese rich are fleeing: to protect their fortunes