The younger generation is the future of the world, and it is important to shape a positive outlook toward Hong Kong in them to promote better relationships. Education is one of the most effective ways to shape the minds and hearts of young people.
Education has been used by Western countries for citizen diplomacy, spreading their political values and culture globally. For example, the United States uses education to spread its values with three main objectives in the Middle East: First, implementing soft power resources and values could improve US credibility and legitimacy in the region, with American professors acting as citizen ambassadors. Second, US research institutions in the region could help educate a new generation of students and potentially develop a full-time presence in the region, facilitating the recruitment and development of future pro-West political leaders. Third, these institutions could help construct a foundation for future democratization processes. Branch campuses have already provided educational opportunities for women who may not have been able to attend university otherwise, which serves as an example of how US education institutions are reshaping the culture and practices of the Middle East.
While the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region does not carry any ideological or political transformation motives, it is undeniable that providing education services to the designated regions will help promote China’s story, and foster a better understanding of the HKSAR and China as a whole.
To attract young overseas talent to come and experience the actual situation in Hong Kong, we should leverage the reputation of the city’s internationally renowned educational institutions. This will enable young people from all over the world to gain firsthand experience in Hong Kong and dispel any misleading information. They can be expected to tell the truth with stories about Hong Kong when they go back home.
Hong Kong’s post-secondary education system is highly diverse and internationalized, with five of the world’s top 100 universities. According to the University Grants Committee’s Research Assessment Exercise 2020, 70 percent of research projects were rated “international excellence” or above by international experts, of these 25 percent rated “world leading” and 45 percent rated “international excellence”. These figures demonstrate that Hong Kong’s universities are at the forefront of academic research, both in terms of quality and quantity. Hong Kong institutions offer high-quality courses that are widely recognized and in line with international standards. Many of their courses rank among the best in surveys conducted by authoritative institutions and financial publications.
On top of those, the 2023 Policy Address proposed measures to build an international post-secondary education hub in Hong Kong, including expanding the quota of nonlocal students to 40 percent, increasing scholarships and adding around 13,500 dormitories by 2027. These efforts help to attract more foreign students and talent to study and conduct research in Hong Kong, promoting people-to-people diplomacy.
In this context, Hong Kong should capitalize on its strengths to attract overseas students to conduct citizen diplomacy. This can be achieved by creating international scientific research projects, providing high-quality courses, and establishing exchange programs. The government can offer scholarships and financial aid to specific regions to attract their young people to study in Hong Kong. Visa procedures can also be streamlined for students from designated countries who wish to study and work in Hong Kong. Additionally, networking events and fairs can be held in targeted countries to promote Hong Kong’s educational and career opportunities, as well as to showcase the city’s modernity, inclusiveness, vibrant culture, cuisine and lifestyle. These efforts will help position Hong Kong as an international education hub.
Aside from attracting foreign talent for exchanges, Hong Kong can encourage its educational institutions to establish branch campuses overseas, send local professors on secondment to teach abroad, promote Hong Kong’s values and share Hong Kong’s story with the rest of the world.
Hong Kong institutions can establish branch campuses in strategic areas to deepen bilateral relations and disseminate positive values. They have experience in collaborating with foreign institutions and setting up joint courses and exchange programs. Additionally, some Hong Kong institutions also have experience in establishing branch campuses outside Hong Kong. For example, the Chinese University of Hong Kong established a branch campus in Shenzhen. Hong Kong institutions should establish branch campuses in regions where they have comparative advantages. Key regions for expansion include the Middle East, countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, and Southeast Asian countries. Encouraging institutions to explore the feasibility of building branch campuses in these countries will cultivate a favorable perception of Hong Kong among young people there.
The availability of resources is a concern for educational institutions looking to establish branches abroad. The government may replicate the success of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong universities’ collaboration model by negotiating with foreign governments to provide funding for the construction of Hong Kong-administered campuses.
In addition to leveraging traditional education institutions for citizen diplomacy, Hong Kong can pursue international cooperation in other fields. Think tanks are vital in building a country’s soft power and play a significant role in shaping a nation’s image and policies. However, Chinese think tanks, including those in Hong Kong, have yet to fully participate in international cooperation, and lag behind their European and American counterparts.
Hong Kong has strong connections with the international community and is proficient in Western languages, logic and communication characteristics. And Hong Kong houses several top universities and think tanks globally. Hong Kong’s think tanks should be encouraged to collaborate with overseas think tanks to conduct research projects on global governance challenges and other significant issues.
As a free port with superb air connectivity at the heart of Asia, traveling to Hong Kong is convenient, making the city a preferred location for staging international conventions. Hong Kong can host various international think tank conferences and serve as a platform for international cooperation and dialogue between think tanks. The building of active partnerships between think tanks should also be strengthened.
Hong Kong can also take the lead and work with mainland think tanks to establish a Southeast Asian and a Belt and Road think tank alliance.
The author is a researcher at the Silk Road Institute.
The views don’t necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
