Hong Kong is an international hub for university students

Mark Pinkstone/Former Chief Information Officer of HK government

In his annual policy address last year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu outlined his plan to make Hong Kong an international hub for university students, and this year he delivered the goods.

In his 2024 Policy Address, Lee said the Government was committed to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post secondary education. This, he said would include a raft of measures to complete a comprehensive programme to draw more talent to Hong Kong.

His comments came hot on the heels of the release of the Times Higher Education World University rankings which placed Hong Kong’s City University as the world’s most international university. The University of Hong Kong was placed 6th, the University of Science and Technology 9th and Hong Kong Polytechnic University 10th. Another nail in the coffin of Hong Kong’s doomsayers.

Other Hong Kong universities include the Chinese University of Hong Kong (13th), Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnam University, and Education University of Hong Kong, all funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC). There are also three self-funded universities: Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hang Seng University and Saint Francis University.

And to keep the trajectory skyrocketing upward, the government has launched a $30 million “Study in Hong Kong” brand to be used by the local universities to attract foreign students to Hong Kong. The website (https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-education) covers everything possible about Hong Kong and university life, including funding, accommodation and an insight into the various universities.

It even invites the international students to remain in Hong Kong after graduation with hints and links to various employment agencies looking for top notch talent.

This falls in line with Hong Kong’s rapid development as a science and technology hub. The Northern Metropolis development, with its focus on education and technology, will undoubtedly create a surge in demand for student talent. More than 60 hectares of land in the four areas of Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, Ngau Tam Mei and the New Territories North (NTN) New Town, has been reserved by the government for post-secondary education development.

“The Government has earmarked over 80 hectares of land in the Northern Metropolis for the Northern Metropolis University Town and will encourage local post secondary institutions to introduce more branded programmes, research collaboration and exchange projects with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner. We will retain flexibility in the planning process to facilitate development of student hostels. We plan to publish the Northern Metropolis University Town Development Conceptual Framework in the first half of 2026”, the CE said in his policy address.

The government-operated UGC says that for the 2023/24 academic year some 100,786 students will be enrolled in UGC-funded programmes. Of these, some 23,097 students will be enrolled as non-local; 17,822 will be from the Mainland and 4,410 from Asia and 823 from other countries. The most popular subjects are science (6,368 enrolments by non-local students) and engineering and technology (5.802 non-local enrolments).

In his address last year, Lee said that part-time job restrictions imposed on non-local students would be lifted, as part of the city’s measures to entice professional talent and encourage more to stay on. He also announced several longer-term projects for cross-boundary university collaboration with the mainland including a microelectronic academy to be set up to study third-generation semiconductors, and research projects between Hong Kong and neighbouring Shenzhen.

Currently, just 1 per cent of overseas graduates from Hong Kong’s universities are staying on at a time when the city is vying with other Asian countries to attract top graduates. The lifting of part-time work restrictions is being implemented on a trial basis for two years, during which more than 35,000 students are expected to benefit.

In this year’s address he elaborated on this programme. He said that in creating the "Study in Hong Kong" brand, the government will strive to host international education conferences and exhibitions. It will also encourage local post secondary institutions to enhance collaboration and exchange with their counterparts around the world in promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" brand on a global scale, and to attract more overseas students, especially those from ASEAN and other Belt and Road countries, to study in Hong Kong through the provision of scholarships and other incentives.

Housing of graduates has been of continual concern with the government and the universities, with property agents claiming that the private student housing market can only accommodate 0.4 per cent of the total enrolled population. They say that in the next four years, post-secondary university hostels in Hong Kong will create additional spillover demand of 22,300 bedspaces into the private accommodation market.

Lee said in his address that to improve hostel facilities the government will launch a pilot scheme to streamline the processing of application in relation to planning, lands and building plans, to encourage the market to convert hotels and other commercial buildings into student hostels on a self financing and privately funded basis, thus increasing the supply of student hostels.

“The Government will also make available suitable sites for the private sector to build new hostels, having regard to market demand. The Development Projects Facilitation Office under the Development Bureau (DEVB) will provide one stop advisory and facilitation services for these projects,” he said.

Overall, Lee’s address was very bullish blending plans to attract more talent to the city as it transforms itself into a world-leading high technology hub. Foreign students graduating from a Hong Kong university has the advantage of gaining work experience in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay area and in the mainland before returning to their original home. With qualifications from a world renown university and work experience from one of the fastest growing economies, the world is the oyster for Hong Kong graduates.

Mark Pinkstone

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

The British government runs a tight ship when it comes to managing risk. London loves stacking up benefits but dodges the downside whenever possible. After tightening permanent settlement requirements, the UK just pulled another calculated move—updating its "Foreign travel advice - Hong Kong" to clarify what Hong Kong BNO holders can't expect if they return home.

The UK just warned Hong Kong BNO holders: return home, you're on your own. London's bracing for the return tide—and dodging future headaches.

Here's the bottom line: because the HKSAR government doesn't recognize the BN(O) passport or dual nationality, Hong Kong people who moved to Britain on a BN(O) visa—or who've already naturalized—won't get help from the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong if they come back. If these Hong Kong BNO holders run into legal trouble or get detained, the consulate won't be riding to the rescue. Sharp observers say London has spotted a growing return tide and is "shutting the back door" early to avoid endless headaches down the road.

Nearly 170,000 Hong Kong people have already settled in the UK under the BN(O) visa route. Under the "5+1" pathway, many will qualify for indefinite leave to remain as early as next year. But life in Britain hasn't matched expectations for everyone. Some have already started drifting back to Hong Kong. Others are planning to grab settlement status next year, then head home to chase better paychecks.

Reality Check from London

The British government has clearly seen this trend coming. It's planning ahead—and preparing for the possibility that some Hong Kong BNO holders or naturalized citizens might get arrested after returning to Hong Kong.

The UK Foreign Office's warning spells it out: because the HKSAR government doesn't recognize dual nationality, Hong Kong people holding a BN(O) passport, permanent residency, or British citizenship will still be regarded as Chinese nationals. Result? The British Consulate-General in Hong Kong may be unable to provide consular assistance.

A friend pointed out something crucial: when the UK rolled out the BN(O) visa plan in early 2021, it carried an intention to create trouble in Hong Kong and violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The HKSAR government therefore stated clearly it wouldn't recognize the BN(O) passport. In that case, the British consulate in Hong Kong naturally couldn't offer assistance to such individuals—yet the UK side never made this point crystal clear.

Now the UK has updated its "Hong Kong travel advice" and laid it out explicitly. The message to returning Hong Kong BNO holders couldn't be clearer: if anything happens after you enter Hong Kong, the British consulate won't step in. Don't blame the consulate for refusing to help when the time comes, and don't expect it to shoulder any legal or moral responsibility.

The Return Tide Rises

In reality, the number of Hong Kong BNO holders returning to Hong Kong is bound to rise. From the UK government's perspective, making this clear upfront is indeed necessary—it can prevent the consulate from being dragged into trouble later.

The UK Foreign Office also suggests that if these Hong Kong people formally renounce Chinese nationality, they should carry relevant documentary proof. The implication? If a Hong Kong BNO holder in Hong Kong doesn't hold Chinese nationality, the consulate might provide assistance. But here's the thing: the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong BNO holders won't renounce their Hong Kong permanent resident status or give up their HKSAR passport just to qualify for consular help. The UK government has likely run the numbers: those willing to renounce Chinese nationality in exchange for consular assistance will be few and far between.

Politically speaking, the UK government may have also calculated something else. Among Hong Kong BNO holders returning home, some left for Britain back then out of hatred toward the government. There's a real chance they could break the law in the future. To avoid accusations later that the consulate stood by doing nothing, the UK is issuing a pre-emptive "liability waiver" statement.

Some Hong Kong BNO holders left angry, could return angrier. The consulate's closing the door before trouble knocks.

No Safety Net for Naturalized Citizens

Beyond Hong Kong BNO holders, the UK Foreign Office's advisory also targets those who've obtained permanent residency and those who've naturalized as citizens. Because the Chinese government doesn't recognize dual nationality, they're all regarded as Chinese nationals. If something happens after they return to Hong Kong, the British consulate likewise can't provide assistance.

Some Hong Kong BNO holders have already said they'll return to Hong Kong for better-paid work once they secure a settlement. That means a wave of UK "permanent residents" may head back next year. The UK is playing it smart—being "the villain first, the gentleman later"—so these returnees don't harbor unrealistic expectations.

As for Hong Kong people who've become British citizens, the number returning to Hong Kong is currently limited. Still, once the "5+1" pathway starts producing larger numbers of new citizens, the flow back to Hong Kong will increase. By stating its position in advance, the UK is telling them: if problems arise in the future, don't come "knocking on the door" of the consulate for help.

For the British government, shutting the back door to avoid trouble fits perfectly with its long-standing instinct to dodge responsibility and minimize risk.

Lai Ting-yiu