Hong Kong leader and education minister discuss university city plan
Hong Kong's chief executive met China's education minister and outlined plans for a 'university city' in the Northern Territory to attract top institutions and talent. The city aims to boost Hong Kong's global education standing and deepen cross-border academic collaboration.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee met China's Education Minister Wang Jinpiao on 2 November 2026, the government announced. Lee welcomed the minister and highlighted Hong Kong's five world top-100 universities, placing the city among global education leaders.
The government is implementing its first five-year education plan to turn Hong Kong into a hub for high-end global talent, Lee said. A dedicated scheme for overseas students and the inaugural 'Study in Hong Kong Week', featuring the largest-ever Asia-Pacific International Education Association annual conference, are showcasing the city's higher education influence, he added.
Under the 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong will continue its 'Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus' international campaign and support local institutions in recruiting events on the mainland and overseas to expand the talent pool, Lee stated.
Lee said the city is accelerating development of the Northern Territory, or 'North City', centred on a university city that integrates education, technology, industry, talent and urban development. This model drives collaboration among government, industry, academia, research and investment to create a strategic base for higher education and innovation. The government will work with the education ministry to attract more top mainland universities and research institutes to the Northern Territory, pooling academic and research strengths for mutual benefit.
Noting close higher-education ties within the Greater Bay Area, Lee said all eight publicly funded Hong Kong universities have set up industry-academia bases in Shenzhen, with four operating campuses in mainland cities. As the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau University Alliance marks its tenth anniversary this year, the government will optimise alliance mechanisms to deepen innovation and talent exchanges. With ministerial support, Hong Kong and the mainland will enhance cooperation in teacher training, digital education and patriotic education to help build a strong education nation, Lee said.