Downgraded to VFR a number of times in HK airspace as it made life easier doing some government work in props in the 00's. From what I remember I would liken it to running around Europe Special VFR. Still given info on traffic in area. They were never really happy with visual sighting of other aircraft to keep separation. The return to the airport was IFR though.
Things have probably changed and I have lost most of the memory on the specific details. Given that there is next to no GA operations anymore I don't think you'll find many that will know.