Hong Kong has announced new initiatives to attract international students, particularly those impacted by the U.S. government’s controversial attempt to block Harvard University from enrolling foreign nationals.
The move comes in the wake of escalating tensions between the United States and China, with US President Donald Trump targeting Harvard in a dispute over admissions and alleged political affiliations.
On Thursday, the Trump administration issued an order to prevent Harvard from admitting foreign students, a decision temporarily halted by a U.S. judge after the university filed a lawsuit, labeling the action as unlawful.
Responding to the situation, Hong Kong’s Education Secretary Christine Choi urged the city’s universities to extend support to affected students. “For international students affected by the United States’ student admission policy, the Education Bureau has appealed to all universities in Hong Kong to provide facilitation measures for eligible students,” she said in a statement reported by AFP.
Choi added that local universities would utilize government measures, including relaxed caps on foreign student intake, to attract global talent.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) quickly responded, issuing an open invitation to international students enrolled at or accepted by Harvard. HKUST offered “unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures, and academic support” to help affected students continue their education without interruption.
While Harvard remains the world’s top-ranked university, according to US News and World Report, HKUST is also recognized globally, ranking 105th out of more than 2,000 institutions.
Trump’s crackdown on Harvard stems from his administration’s broader push to monitor university policies, which he claims harbor anti-Semitic and “woke” liberal ideologies. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused the university of promoting violence and aligning with the Chinese Communist Party, a claim Harvard denies.
Beijing has condemned Washington’s actions, calling it a “politicisation of educational cooperation” that damages the US’s global image. The diplomatic row also threatens the academic futures of many Chinese nationals—approximately 1,300 of whom are currently enrolled at Harvard, comprising about 20% of its international student body.
China sends hundreds of thousands of students to American universities annually, drawn by their reputation for academic excellence and freedom. Hong Kong’s swift response underscores its ambition to position itself as a welcoming hub for displaced global scholars amid growing geopolitical tensions.
What you should know
Christine Choi is Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education. She has been instrumental in the city’s efforts to enhance international education cooperation and is now championing policies to welcome displaced students, particularly those affected by shifting US immigration and education policies.
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