Experts from Hong Kong and Macao said that the central government’s new directive to transform the two special administrative regions into international hubs for top-tier talent will fulfill local talent demands while propelling the country’s high-quality development. 

To achieve this objective, outlined in a significant resolution, both regions should leverage their distinct advantages and policy incentives to attract and retain external talent, while strengthening mechanisms for nurturing local talent, they said.

The resolution on further deepening reform to advance Chinese modernization, adopted on July 18 at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, voiced support for Hong Kong and Macao to build themselves into international hubs for high-caliber talent.

Luo Yong, chairman of the Hong Kong Quality and Talent Migrants Association, said that the resolution marks the first explicit directive regarding the SARs’ talent policies from the central authorities, demonstrating Hong Kong’s significant importance to national development.

Daniel Lee Ho-wah, president of the Hong Kong People Management Association, a professional human resources management body, said that Hong Kong will be a direct beneficiary of the resolution.

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Official data show that the city’s population is projected to reach 8.19 million by 2046, with a third being elderly aged 65 and above.

Building Hong Kong as an international talent hub will help address the city’s challenges related to its aging population and labor shortage.

The welcome influx of talent will also spur the growth of various industries in Hong Kong, upgrade Hong Kong’s economic structure, and attract more investments, Lee said. 

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, believes that professionals attracted to Hong Kong will leverage the city as a gateway to the Chinese mainland and overseas. They will not only contribute to the development of Hong Kong and the mainland but also foster a positive global narrative of the country during their movement.

Hence, this decision will eventually contribute to the nation as a whole, Lau said. 

Attracting professionals

The Hong Kong SAR government has ramped up talent-attraction initiatives since late 2022. As of July 15, the city has received more than 320,000 applications across various talent programs, including 200,000 approved, and more than 130,000 having arrived in Hong Kong.

Luo said the “one country, two systems” principle has always been a magnet for global professionals, and the city should further leverage this advantage to enhance its appeal. Considering Hong Kong’s relatively narrow industry scope, the city needs to collaborate with the mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on talent policies.

Luo’s association has been hosting talent summits, and fostering exchange with high-end talent organizations and international talent groups. He observed that professionals, whether from Hong Kong, the mainland, or overseas, share a common interest in exploring growth prospects in the city, especially for foreigners who wish to tap the mainland opportunities through Hong Kong.

Luo emphasized the magnetic effect of career-advancement prospects on high-caliber professionals, suggesting that providing such opportunities is key to attracting the world’s best.

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Shang Hailong, a lawmaker and chairman of the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association, proposed targeted scholarship programs to entice people from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to study in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong should not just attract professionals — it also needs to retain them, Shang said. 

As the city prepares for a wave of visa renewals in the coming years, the government could use the opportunity to address the practical challenges faced by the newcomers. 

Lee of the Hong Kong People Management Association, in particular, underlined the need to address expatriates’ concerns in finding suitable accommodations for their families and the right schools for their children.

Lee suggested that the government collaborate with international or English-language schools to reserve spots for children of highend professionals. Additionally, enterprises can help provide them with affordable transitional housing.

He stressed that professionals’ coming to Hong Kong is not just an individual decision but a family matter. Resolving their livelihood challenges is essential to encouraging them to relocate to the city, Lee said.

Zhou Ping, director of the Research Center on the Belt and Road Initiative (Macau) at the City University of Macau, said that the plenary session resolution has provided crucial guidance for advancing Macao’s talent framework.

He said Macao’s emphasis on new industries in recent years boasts several advantages distinct from those of Hong Kong in attracting talent. Macao’s “1+4” industry diversification strategy, unveiled in 2023, involves promoting the growth of one key sector — tourism and leisure — alongside the advancement of four industries: big health, modern finance, high technology, as well as conventions, exhibitions, culture  and sports.

This strategic approach opens doors for experts to swiftly assume leadership positions within these industries, Zhou said. 

Empowering local talents Wong Kam-fai, a legislator and an associate dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said that fostering local talent is critical for the long-term development of the city’s talent base.

Despite Hong Kong’s established prowess in finance, innovation and technology, trade, and aviation, there remains a shortage of skilled manpower in some applied technology disciplines like information technology, electrical and mechanical engineering, aviation, maritime, and logistics, he said.

To address this gap, Wong proposed strengthening cooperation with Shenzhen in training talents with applied skills.

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Hong Kong can establish vocational training colleges on the mainland, offering programs with mutually recognized qualifications. Graduates from these colleges can be allowed to work in Hong Kong, becoming a force in the city’s talent pool, Wong said.

The government could also construct primary and secondary boarding schools in the Northern Metropolis, offering mainland and international curricula that cater to the needs of families from Shenzhen and Hong Kong. These institutions would serve as incubators for Hong Kong’s future professionals.

Addressing the challenges in fostering innovation and technology talent, Wong suggests the government establish a dedicated committee focused on this area. This committee should help the Education Bureau create and update the innovation and technology program framework, and systematically develop various professionals required by relevant industries.

Macao-based Zhou agreed on the importance of local talent development. He recommends that the Macao SAR government offer greater support to the region’s 10 higher education institutions, with a focus on disciplines integral to the city’s future growth.

Furthermore, Zhou encouraged these institutions to consider establishing branches in Zhuhai’s Hengqin island, capitalizing on the synergy effect of the whole GBA.

Contact the writers at oasishu@chinadailyhk.com