At a forum attended by University Presidents, the Secretary for Education, Dr Christine Choi, emphasized the highly internationalized and diverse nature of Hong Kong’s higher education sector. Among the eight publicly funded universities, five are ranked in the top 100 globally, positioning Hong Kong as one of the world’s cities with the highest concentration of elite universities. Many of these institutions, programs, and disciplines are recognized as world-class, garnering widespread acclaim domestically and internationally. These achievements significantly enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness and influence in higher education.
The rankings referenced by Dr. Choi pertain to the newly released 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. In this edition, five Hong Kong universities are within the global top 100: The University of Hong Kong (HKU) ranks 35th, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has risen nine places to 44th—its best-ever ranking and a return to the top 50 since 2022. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) saw a slight decline to 66th. City University of Hong Kong (CityU) climbed to 80th, its highest ranking to date, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) moved up three places to 84th.
Additionally, over 1,000 scholars from Hong Kong universities were listed among the "Top 2% of the World's Top Scientists," according to the 2024 Standardized Citation Indicators Database compiled by Stanford University. This marks an increase of 80 scholars from the previous year, with a total of 1,534 Hong Kong scholars recognized for their annual scientific impact. Thirteen of these scholars are ranked in the global top 10 within their fields, including Professor Jim Chi Yung from the Education University of Hong Kong, known as "Dr. Tree," who retained his top ranking. Dr. Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, the "father of non-invasive prenatal test" and the upcoming President of CUHK, ranks fourth globally in general clinical medicine. In terms of lifetime scientific impact, 1,270 Hong Kong scientists are among the world’s top 2%, an increase of 95 from the previous year.
Moreover, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), four subjects at Hong Kong universities are ranked among the global top ten: HKU’s Dentistry ranks 3rd, HKU’s Education is 7th, CUHK’s Nursing is 8th, and HKUST’s Data Science and Artificial Intelligence ranks 10th globally.
PolyU and HKU also have multiple disciplines ranked within the global top 20, such as PolyU’s Civil and Structural Engineering at 14th, and HKU’s Education and Law programs, each ranking 20th.
Dr. Choi highlighted that the next decade offers a golden opportunity for the development of higher education in Hong Kong, and the government will vigorously promote the "Study in Hong Kong" initiative.
Ariel recalled that last year’s Policy Address proposed an additional injection of HKD 1 billion into the Government Scholarship Fund and an increase in Belt and Road Scholarship placements to 150 annually, aiming to attract more students from Belt and Road Initiative countries and ASEAN nations to pursue their studies in Hong Kong.
According to the Education Bureau’s statistics, only 32% of non-local students in the eight major publicly funded undergraduate and postgraduate programs last academic year were from regions outside Hong Kong. To enhance the city's appeal, the government can expand its scholarship offerings.
Hong Kong clearly possesses a strategic advantage in becoming an "international hub for post-secondary education." Beyond increasing scholarship opportunities and attracting distinguished international scholars, the government also seeks to draw students from Europe, the Americas, and Australia. By expanding the "Study in Hong Kong" brand, the government aims to attract international students to study and ideally remain in Hong Kong after graduation, thereby diversifying the local talent pool and contributing to Hong Kong’s long-term economic growth.
Ariel
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
Trump just rolled out another tariff threat, and this time Iran's trading partners are in his crosshairs. On January 12, the US president announced a blanket 25% tariff on any country "doing business" with Tehran.
The international press immediately fixated on China—Iran's biggest trade partner. Reuters warned this could reignite the US–China trade war and shred the fragile truce both sides hammered out last year. But Chinese scholars aren't buying it. They say Trump lacks the nerve to slap Beijing with new tariffs, because China will hit back hard—and make him regret it.
Anti-government protests erupt in Iran. (AP photo)
The Financial Times reported on January 12 that these tariffs—which took effect immediately—could slam China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, the UAE, Brazil, and Iraq. All of them trade heavily with Iran. Russia sealed a new free trade deal with Iran in 2025, making it another potential target.
CNN pointed out the stakes for Beijing. China trades with both Iran and the US, so if Washington applies these tariffs, Chinese goods entering America could see costs spike. The network recalled that after last year's summit in Busan, South Korea, the Chinese and US presidents agreed to pause portions of their tariff war—a temporary truce.
Iran as Flashpoint, Again
Reuters published a piece on January 13 titled "Trump's Iran Tariff Threat Risks Reopening China Rift." The article traced how Iran became a powder keg in US–China relations during Trump's first term (2017–2021).
Back then, Washington tightened sanctions on Tehran and blacklisted Huawei, accusing the Chinese telecom giant of selling tech to Iran. That led to the arrest of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei's daughter, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada—triggering a diplomatic crisis and sending bilateral tensions through the roof.
Now Trump's targeting Iran again. If he follows through, total US tariffs on Chinese exports could exceed 70%—way higher than the rates both sides agreed to last October when they dialed down their trade fight.
It's still unclear which countries or entities Trump will actually target. He hasn't named China explicitly. But Reuters noted Trump has a track record of making bombastic statements that could upend US foreign policy—only to back off later.
US–China "truce" forged in Busan last year now at risk if Trump's Iran tariffs target Beijing. (AP file photo)
Beijing Calls Trump's Bluff
Wu Xinbo, Dean of Fudan University's School of International Relations, told Reuters that China sees through Trump's posturing. "China will call (Trump's) bluff. I can assure you that Trump has no guts to impose the extra 25% tariffs on China, and if he does, China will retaliate and he will be punished," said Wu.
Another Chinese scholar pushed back on the narrative that China and Iran are economically intertwined, noting that "China and Iran are not as close as in the public imagination".
China Customs data backs that up. Beijing has dramatically reduced imports from Iran in recent years. Through November last year, China imported just 2.9 billion USD worth of Iranian goods—a far cry from the 21 billion USD peak in 2018, during Trump's first presidency.
Some sources claim China's major oil companies stopped doing business with Iran in 2022. Yet China's purchases from Tehran still run into the billions, thanks to independent refiners handling shipments.
China as Convenient Scapegoat
Wang Jin, a researcher at Beijing's Dialogue Think Tank, told reporters that "China is just an excuse, a kind of disguise for the Trump administration, to impose new pressure (on) Iran."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to Trump's tariff threat on January 13. She stated that China's position on tariffs is crystal clear: tariff wars produce no winners. Beijing will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.
Analysts warn that Trump's renewed attempt to cut Iran off from global trade could heighten worries about the Belt and Road Initiative. Iran serves as a strategic hub for Chinese goods heading to the Middle East.
This tariff gambit has cast doubt on Trump's planned April visit to China. Observers had expected him to seal a comprehensive trade deal with Beijing during that trip.
The Wall Street Journal echoed Reuters' concerns, warning that new tariffs on Iran's trading partners could wreck the US–China trade truce.
But Reuters also cited Xu Tianchen, a senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, who questioned whether Trump's tariff policy is even enforceable. "Last year he announced tariffs related to 'illicit' Russian oil trade, but their implementation was patchy." Xu said.
He went on stating that "Trump is also the kind of person who likes bullying the weak," Xu said. "He should manage his actions to avoid these tariffs escalating into direct confrontation with China".
