A city’s capacity to attract global talent is the ultimate barometer of its economic vitality and future trajectory. Recently, British snooker legend Jimmy White acquired a Hong Kong identity card through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, joining a growing roster of global icons, including Chinese pianist Lang Lang and snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan — another Briton — who have chosen to anchor their careers in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
According to the Immigration Department, 138 current and retired international athletes have been attracted to settle in Hong Kong through the talent program between 2023 and the first half of 2026. The talent influx, including other types of professionals, reflects Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s strategic vision: In the global city competition, Hong Kong must maintain openness and leverage the “one country, two systems” framework to build an international hub for high-caliber professionals.
The city’s strong appeal to global elite of various professions is underpinned by its unique advantages. As the premier nexus between the Chinese mainland market and global resources, Hong Kong offers a dual value proposition. Domestically, it connects to the trillion-dollar industrial hinterland of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, providing boundless growth opportunities. Internationally, it maintains a free-market ecosystem characterized by robust rule of law, low taxes, and free flow of capital.
Parallel to this, the HKSAR government has diversified its talent acquisition channels, tailoring pathways such as the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme for top cultural and sports elites, the Top Talent Pass Scheme for young academic achievers and industry innovators, alongside specialized programs to address specific industrial talent shortfalls.
Furthermore, Hong Kong offers a perfect balance between career heights and the warmth of daily life, enhancing its attractiveness. Ranked seventh in the Numbeo Safety Index 2025, the city enjoys exceptional livability. Equally prominent is its world-class education system, with five universities within the top 100 of the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings 2027 and eight within the top 100 of the QS Asia University Rankings 2026. Coupled with unparalleled connectivity, featuring over 1,000 international daily flights and 200-plus daily high-speed trains to and from the mainland, Hong Kong guarantees that talent of all backgrounds can settle in the city without any obstacle and immediately feel a sense of belonging.
Consequently, the sustained influx of human capital is fundamentally reshaping Hong Kong’s economic landscape and demographic profile. For instance, driven by the Top Talent Pass Scheme, in which over 70 percent of applicants are under the age of 40, a new wave of youthful vitality is mitigating the structural pressure brought about by an aging population. Young engineers, fintech innovators, and artificial intelligence entrepreneurs are injecting entrepreneurial vigor into the local industrial ecosystem.
More importantly, the influx of diverse talent catalyzes industrial transformation. Historically reliant on traditional finance, trade, and shipping, Hong Kong is now diversifying its economic pillars and engines. Arts and sports professionals are polishing its reputation as a mega-events capital; tech entrepreneurs are reinforcing its bedrock as an international innovation and technology center; and experts in professional services are anchoring its role as a global high-end services hub.
Beyond economic transformation, the settling of global elites is effectively elevating the city’s international brand. The relocation of top-tier professionals to Hong Kong serves as the most compelling endorsement, showcasing to the world an international metropolis that is open, inclusive, and brimming with opportunities. The aggregation of luminaries also reinforces the city’s enduring value as a superconnector between the mainland and the rest of the world.
Since the introduction of the proactive talent attraction strategy four years ago, the government has refined its policy framework, transitioning from quantitative expansion to precise industrial matching. Early policies prioritized rapid population aggregation; however, the current iteration strictly aligns talent acquisition with the strategic development of Hong Kong’s “eight centers” to drive economic diversification and bridge critical industry gaps, ensuring that imported expertise directly serves high-quality economic growth.
To this end, the administration has pivoted from a lenient entry approach to a contribution-based one. By leveraging multidimensional data — including tax records, Mandatory Provident Fund contributions, and employment histories — the authority now rigorously verifies the actual footprint of incoming professionals, effectively eliminating loopholes and ensuring that newcomers are genuinely invested in and contributing to the city’s prosperity.
The strategy has evolved from a fragmented recruitment approach to cultivating a comprehensive, multi-tiered talent ecosystem. At the apex, the government rolls out the red carpet for top-tier global talent through expedited green channels. For mid-level industry pillars, rigorous screening ensures they take root and empower the local economy. Simultaneously, the city bridges frontline operational gaps by targeting technical specialists, while incubating its future innovative driving force through robust graduate retention policies, ultimately creating a self-sustaining model where elite leadership, core professional support, and youthful innovation seamlessly intertwine.
Furthermore, the vision has expanded from localized recruitment to mobilizing talent across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Backed by the mainland, Hong Kong’s deepening integration into this broader region creates an unparalleled advantage. As talent interoperability, mutual recognition of qualifications, and industrial connectivity advance, settling in Hong Kong now grants global professional elites direct access to a world-class cluster hub of industry, innovation, and consumption. By leveraging this regional synergy, Hong Kong is significantly amplifying its competitive edge in the global race for talent.
Ultimately, a city’s greatness is measured by its capacity to attract talent and leverage their potential. As global elites continue to converge on Hong Kong, their collective expertise will undoubtedly propel the city toward a more prosperous future.
The author is vice-chairman of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
