Published: 19:40, December 12, 2024 | Updated: 20:42, December 12, 2024
CE’s second day in Beijing highlights needs for talent
By Li Lei in Hong Kong
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (center), together with Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip (first left) meets members of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Beijing on Dec 12, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Thursday signaled that more incentives are in pipeline to lure skilled workers to Hong Kong to bridge the talent gap.

Lee met with several leaders from Hong Kong businesses and top mainland universities on the second day of his annual duty visit to Beijing.  

He also took to social media with news of a luncheon he had earlier that day with leaders from Hong Kong business associations in the capital.

READ MORE: CE to travel to Beijing Wednesday for duty visit

On his Facebook post, Lee praised the associations for their efforts to promote cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong in commerce, culture, youth development and innovation, including hosting business forums and providing internships for young people from Hong Kong.

“I am pleased that the business associations serve as a crucial link in promoting the complementary strengths and mutual benefits between Beijing and Hong Kong,” he wrote, adding he hopes such exchanges can intensify.

In an interview after the meeting, Judith Yu, chairman of the Beijing-based Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China and a guest at the luncheon, said that attendees suggested to the chief executive that more incentives, such as tax benefits, are necessary to attract tech workers from the Chinese mainland to address the talent shortfall.

“Lee replied that he has acknowledged these suggestions and would enhance talent attraction platforms,” she said.

Lee encouraged the chamber and its members to keep up the good work, and help their mainland counterparts expand globally through Hong Kong, Yu recalled.

She said she assured the chief executive that her chamber would continue to communicate Hong Kong’s policies to potential mainland investors.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (center) meets with representatives of Beijing universities in Beijing  on Dec 12, 2024. Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip (left) and Director of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing Rex Chang (right) also attended the meeting. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

Following the luncheon, Lee met with representatives from leading tertiary education institutions, including Peking University and Tsinghua University, at the Beijing Office of the Hong Kong SAR government.

The universities are participants in the Top Talent Pass Scheme, a signature program by the HKSAR government to attract high-earning professionals.

In a separate social media post summarizing his meeting with the education representatives, Lee noted that central authorities support Hong Kong’s ambition to become a hub for top talent.

He emphasized the importance of leveraging the “one country, two systems” framework, along with Hong Kong’s diverse social and cultural characteristics, to attract and retain talent, thereby cultivating a high-quality talent pool for the future development of both the country and Hong Kong.

According to the Hong Kong SAR’s Immigration Department, out of the 30,851 approved applications for the Top Talent Pass Scheme in the first nine months of this year, 29,244 were submitted by mainland residents, including graduates of these universities.

READ MORE: CE's duty visit seen boosting economy, freer flow of goods, talent

Official figures showed that the number of Hong Kong students enrolled in mainland institutions has increased to over 23,300 for the 2023-24 academic year, up from approximately 18,400 in 2021-22 and 21,500 in 2022-23.

These meetings precede an upcoming discussion between Lee and national leaders on Friday, where the chief executive is expected to provide updates on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s economy, society, and politics, according to Hong Kong media citing unnamed sources.

Accompanied by Carol Yip Man-kuen, director of the Chief Executive’s Office, and his private secretary, Vicki Kwok Wong Wing-ki, Lee is expected to remain in Beijing until Saturday, during which time he is likely to visit various central ministries.

 

Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com