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Letters | Hong Kong’s reputation as a talent magnet is at a crossroads

Readers discuss efforts to attract talent to Hong Kong, a custom practised by Hong Kong diners, and the potential rise in diabetes cases

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A view of pedestrians in Central district on February 26. Many who arrived in Hong Kong under the Top Talent Pass Scheme have struggled to find jobs. Photo: Eugene Lee
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Attracting top-notch talent has been a recurring theme for the Hong Kong government, with numerous initiatives rolled out in recent years. So far, though, the results have been underwhelming.
In the 2024-25 academic year, Hong Kong universities’ intake quota for non-local students was increased. For years, non-local students have been using Master’s programmes at local universities as a stepping stone to work visas, but the tangible benefits to the city are unclear.
A large number of the newcomers benefiting from these policies are students from mainland China. While this influx has helped bolster university coffers, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po now views these institutions as a potential source of revenue to ease budget deficits.
Many who arrived in the city under the Top Talent Pass Scheme have struggled to find jobs. The investment scheme was amended in 2024 to allow applicants to invest in residential property, perhaps intended to help stabilise property prices. However, it appears that new arrivals are choosing to rent instead of buy, exposing a disconnect between policies and market realities.
The government often touts Hong Kong as a “global city” with trilingual capabilities and a proud common law heritage. However, how many regional headquarters of companies from English-speaking countries have we attracted?
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