The idea that mainland nurses are being hired in Hong Kong to replace locally trained nurses is totally false and planted in the media as a cheap publicity stunt by the champion of the nurses.
The preposterous suggestion first surfaced on a September 17 Commercial Radio talk show when a disciplined services psychiatric nurse said there was an “unwritten rule” that the Hospital Authority reserved some recruitment spots for mainland Chinese nurses. He added that his daughter, who wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps, was unable to find a job after graduating.
The 30,000-strong Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff immediately waded in by issuing five “demands”, including a call to prioritize the hiring of local graduates. They should have done their homework. But, in reality the five so-call “demands”, as reported by local media, were actually the association’s aims and objectives.
The Association simply urged the authorities to prioritize employment for fresh local nursing graduates amid reports of some graduates struggling to secure public hospital positions and suggested slowing down or carefully calibrating the intake of non-locally trained nurses to match actual local recruitment realities.
The Association’s chairman, Tse Kin-keung, said he was unsure how authorities did the maths, but that the association was aware of more fresh graduates failing to find a job this year. He said introducing non-locally trained nurses should take into account local recruitment. He suggested the hiring of non-locally trained nurses should be slowed down.
The Hospital Authority (HA), armed with a treasure trove of facts and figures, strongly rebutted the claim saying that less than 0.5 per cent of all nurses in Hong Kong were not locally trained.
Some 99.8 percent of nurses in public hospitals were locally trained. This, said a government spokesman, reflected that locally trained nurses remain the backbone of the public healthcare system.
The government is concerned that the suggestion that the HA has an “unwritten rule” to hire non-local (mainland) nurses over locals could have an adverse impact on its recruitment drive to fill vacancies within the HA.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said, "I don't want recent comments about 'graduation and then unemployment' to dampen the interest of our younger generation in joining the nursing profession. Nurse training takes time; it’s not something you can do overnight. If these false statements affect recruitment next year or in the future, we will bear the consequences. This isn’t about an isolated case, such as someone who couldn’t find work because he applied to the Hospital Authority after graduation, chose to take a year-long trip, returned later, and then claimed he couldn’t find work. I think it’s also irresponsible to generalise from a single, isolated case to the broader situation that all nurses can’t find jobs. This will affect the profession’s development and, ultimately, the Hong Kong healthcare system and the public will suffer.”
There are currently about 50 non-locally trained registered nurses (RN) serving in the HA, accounting for less than 0.2 per cent of the total number of nurses in the HA. In other words, about 99.8 per cent of RNs working in the HA are locally trained.
With an ageing population and the continuous growth in demand for healthcare services, the demand for nursing services in Hong Kong remains keen. There are still some 3 200 nurse vacancies in the HA to date, and recruitment is ongoing. This reflects that there remains a genuine demand for nursing manpower in the public healthcare system.
The HA’s load of statistics indicate there were about 4 000 prospective nursing graduates in 2025, of which about 3 500 became Registered Nurses (RNs) or Enrolled Nurses (ENs). Also last year, about 2 500 persons applied for RN and EN posts in the HA, representing about 60 per cent of the total number of prospective graduates of that year.
The figures show that not all graduates chose to join the public healthcare system, with some opting to pursue careers in various sectors such as private healthcare institutions, elderly and rehabilitation services, community nursing organisations, as well as insurance and health management.
Mark Pinkstone
** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **
Hong Kong's dynamic economic landscape has long been fueled by its Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), an area not overlooked by the Chief Executive, John Lee in his policy address last week.
At the end of his three-hour speech, which included Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, his vision was hailed by the international business community in Hong Kong for bringing more certainty and direction for the city’s future development in the coming year.
From a sampling of some 50 chambers of commerce in Hong Kong, Mary Simpson, Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce said Lee used Hong Kong as a launchpad super connector and a super enabler: “For Australian firms we feel that the synergies are quite obvious.”
Johannas Hack Chairman of the European Chamber said Hong Kong was a very good place otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many (foreign) companies here.
And Paul McComb, Executive Director of the British Chamber said the five-year plan gives direction.
These agile SME businesses, forming the backbone of the city's economy, face a complex but promising future, shaped by both local policy shifts and regional integration efforts. The government's latest policy address highlights several key initiatives poised to bolster the prospects of Hong Kong's SMEs, particularly through digitalization, market expansion, and enhanced financial and logistical support.
A significant theme emerging from policy discussions is the drive towards digitalization and technological adoption. Recognizing that technology is critical for competitiveness, the government is actively encouraging SMEs to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity solutions. The expansion of the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Program (DTSPP) is specifically designed to provide financial assistance for SMEs adopting AI. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is expanding its digital DIY portal to offer AI-assisted advisory services and help businesses address cybersecurity risks. These measures aim to equip SMEs with the tools to innovate, streamline operations, and enhance their resilience in an increasingly digital world. The emphasis on AI training for all, with over 200 courses, indicates a concerted effort to upskill the workforce, benefiting SMEs by creating a more technologically adept talent pool.
Beyond local technological upgrades, the government is committed to expanding market access and fostering cross-border trade, particularly within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and emerging markets. The "Go Global" task force, established last year, aims to help SMEs tap into new territories, with specific mentions of Uzbekistan and Qatar. Initiatives like strengthening the e-Commerce Express and organizing brand development seminars are geared towards supporting SMEs in their export endeavors and brand building. Crucially, the policy address signals deeper integration with mainland China through enhanced data interchange systems, such as the Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) connecting with the Trade Single Window, now in stage three, and ASEAN's electronic port systems. This promises to simplify cross-border logistics and reduce costs for Hong Kong traders.
Financial and logistical support are also critical components of the government's strategy for SMEs. The Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation is extending buyer credit checks, mitigating risks for SMEs engaging in international trade. Moreover, the focus on enhancing the Port Community System, utilizing blockchain for cargo tracking, and providing funding for logistics solutions aims to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of supply chains, directly benefiting SMEs involved in trade and manufacturing.
While opportunities abound, SMEs in Hong Kong must also navigate challenges such as a tightening labor market and the need for continuous upskilling. The government's initiatives to address manpower shortages through talent attraction schemes and vocational training, coupled with efforts to empower women and minority groups in the workforce, are positive steps. However, SMEs will need to proactively engage with these programs to leverage their benefits fully.
The prospects for SMEs in Hong Kong, as outlined in the latest policy address, are largely positive and growth-oriented. Through strategic investments in digitalization, facilitated market expansion, and robust financial and logistical support, the government is creating an ecosystem conducive to their success. The emphasis on integration with the GBA and a global outlook further positions Hong Kong's SMEs to capitalize on regional and international opportunities, ensuring their continued vitality in the city's economic future.
