If that would have been the actual response, it wouldn't have made sense to proceed with the reform. The goal of treasury should be to maximise social welfare, not lose tax money just to dunk on the ultrarich.
They still had to pay at least the basis charge, which was 30 or 60k per head depending on how long they were here for. That alone should have more than covered the cost of providing civic services to them.
If they come and live in 10M house it's 300k/year right there if you tax properties/land (you can use progressive rate so it's higher on most valuable properties). Add consumption taxes and every rich Chinese/Arab kid is sponsoring welfare for few dozens people per year.
