World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 Strengthens Hong Kong's Education Hub Status

World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 elevates Hong Kong's global voice in higher education

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, spoke at the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 today (November 5), highlighting Hong Kong's growing strength, global voice, and strategic vision as a premier international higher education hub.

Addressing an international audience of university presidents and academic leaders, Dr Choi noted that the forum gathered leaders and university presidents representing more than one-third of the world's top 50 universities. "Assembling such a distinguished constellation of global academic leadership strongly reaffirms Hong Kong's standing as an international education hub and significantly enhances the city's discourse power in the global educational arena," she said.

Dr Choi emphasised that Hong Kong's institutional strength is firmly rooted in academic excellence, robust national support, and open connectivity. Citing the latest QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027, she noted the impressive achievements of Hong Kong institutions, and pointed out that Hong Kong continues to set regional benchmarks, with five local universities securing places among Asia's top 10. Serving as a vital bridge between East and West, Hong Kong offers a fertile ecosystem characterised by internationalisation and diversification which brings global talent together to address shared global challenges.

"Alongside signature international events such as the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition held in February this year, the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 forms part of a strategic series of signature initiatives promoting the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand worldwide, underscoring the city's role as a key driver shaping the future of global higher education," added Dr Choi.

Elaborating on the forum's theme, "Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future", Dr Choi stressed that no matter how the global landscape evolves, universities remain fundamentally tied to economic development, societal well-being, and human progress. World-leading institutions must stand at the forefront, guiding that transformation. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's educational future is taking concrete physical shape through the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town.

Under the "One Town, Five Elements" framework, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is building a holistic campus ecosystem integrating higher education, advanced research, market innovation, vibrant living spaces, and top-tier talent. Positioned at the gateway to the Chinese Mainland, the University Town will foster deep industry-academia-research integration, linking academic research directly with industry capabilities to serve national development under the 15th Five-Year Plan.

As a premier global event in higher education, the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 aims to further demonstrate Hong Kong's unique strength and pivotal status as a bridge connecting the Mainland with the global higher education system. Bringing together presidents, renowned scholars, and international education leaders from dozens of world-leading universities, the forum addresses key issues including talent cultivation in the intelligent age, technology and innovation driving the future economy, and universities' responses to major global challenges.

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 today (November 5). Photo shows Dr Choi (centre) with the Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee, Professor James Tang (left), and the Provost of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Guo Yike (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 today (November 5). Photo shows Dr Choi (centre) and the guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, speaks at the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 today (November 5). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs takes territory-wide law enforcement actions against illicit cigarette selling points

Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a decoy operation targeting cigarette retail points in various districts in Hong Kong since November 3. A total of about 128 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $580,000 and a duty potential of about $420,000, have been seized. Ten persons have been arrested.

Customs has been closely monitoring the market situation. It has also been staying alert to recent reports indicating that some retail points are selling illicit cigarettes, as well as "cheap whites" priced below the level of statutory duty. Customs is highly concerned about the situation and promptly met with relevant parties to gather information, upon which they conducted an investigation and prepared for the operation.

During the operation, Customs officers disguised as customers and conducted test buys at different cigarette retail points, including newsstands, grocery shops and hawker stalls. Some retail points were found to offer cigarettes for sale at a price less than the statutory duty imposed thereon. As at today (November 5), Customs has taken prompt enforcement actions against seven cigarette retail points in Yau Ma Tei, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Tuen Mun and Kwun Tong, and arrested the shop owners and staff. Ten persons, comprising five men and five women aged between 43 and 90, were arrested.

The operation is ongoing in different districts. If newsstands and retail shops are involved in offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes, Customs will take prompt enforcement actions and will notify relevant departments for follow-up actions on matters related to leases and licences after the conclusion of court proceedings.

Customs reminds cigarette retailers not to sell cigarettes of unknown sources and stay alert to cigarettes supplied at a price less than the statutory duty. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), if a cigarette is offered for sale or supply at a consideration the value of which is less than the rate of duty imposed on the cigarette, the cigarette is dutiable goods. In addition, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying duty-not-paid cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a decoy operation targeting cigarette retail points in various districts since November 3. A total of about 128 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $580,000 and a duty potential of about $420,000, have been seized. Ten persons have been arrested. Photo shows one of the cigarette retail points connected with the cases. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a decoy operation targeting cigarette retail points in various districts since November 3. A total of about 128 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $580,000 and a duty potential of about $420,000, have been seized. Ten persons have been arrested. Photo shows one of the cigarette retail points connected with the cases. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases