2025 China International Education Expo opens with strong HK presence

The 2025 China International Education Expo (CEE) opened Saturday morning at the Beijing National Convention Center, featuring the strongest presence of Hong Kong schools in the event's history.

The 2025 CEE drew nearly 400 schools and organizations from 38 countries and regions such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Eighteen official national pavilions are taking part this year. New Zealand, the country of honor, has 17 schools participating in the event, four more than last year.

Many national pavilions are rolling out new programs tailored for Chinese students. Australia and Canada are promoting short-term study trip options, while Russia is offering new support packages that cover accommodation and relocation costs plus scholarships.

This year's CEE saw the debut of the Hong Kong official pavilion, featuring the presence of all eight publicly funded universities in the special administrative region and expanded intake plans for non-local students.

"The SAR government is actively building the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand. Over the past few years the proportion of non-local students has risen from 25 percent to 40 percent, and next year it will be 50 percent. That's why all eight public-funded universities are here together," said Sally Ching, academic registrar of Hong Kong Baptist University.

"Hong Kong has become a hot destination for study. At our agency the proportion of applicants interested in Hong Kong schools has jumped from 20 percent last year to about 40 percent this year. Hong Kong's Location in the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station is just 14 minutes away from Shenzhen's Futian. With so many tech firms in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, internships are easy to find – which is a greater CV booster for students," said Jia Li, head of an education consultancy organization.

In addition to face-to-face chats with admissions staff and embassy officials, visitors can choose from almost 60 on-site seminars covering application tactics, visa updates, full-scholarship opportunities, career planning and latest trends. After Beijing, the CEE moves to Wuhan (Nov 4), Chengdu (Nov 6), Guangzhou (Nov 8) and Shanghai (Nov 9).

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China led by chair Engin Eroglu in Beijing on Wednesday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with the European Union (EU) to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

He said China stands ready to join hands with the EU to address global challenges, promote exchanges and cooperation among legislative bodies, effectively utilize communication mechanisms, and advance the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.

Eroglu said the EU stands ready to work with China to contribute to the development of EU-China relations.