Media365
In recent years, Hong Kong has introduced a wealth of measures to attract well-educated, skilled professionals from around the world to develop their careers in the city.
Between late 2022 and the end of last month, the city welcomed more than 270,000 talented professionals – a number of whom also brought along their families as they began a new chapter in their lives.
These efforts continue to play a major part in driving Hong Kong’s transition to a new economic model, which emphasises the importance of innovation and technology, both to spur start-up ventures and build on traditional strengths.
Their impact has helped to cement the city’s status as a world-class hub for talent, where leading executives, international experts, ambitious entrepreneurs – and their families – can put down roots and have full confidence in the chances of achieving success.
This eminent position was confirmed last year with Hong Kong rated fourth globally – up five places from 2024 – and first in Asia for its ability to attract, retain and develop talent while creating long-term benefits for the city in the World Talent Ranking 2025, compiled by Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development.
This month, the city has been hosting the second Global Talent Summit Week – including the International Talent Forum and CareerConnect Expo, which were held in tandem at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last Wednesday and Thursday – and nine complementary events at satellite venues running until next Sunday.
The week of activities, which aims to highlight the city’s appeal as a great place to live and work, has been organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), a government office set up in 2023 under the Labour and Welfare Bureau. Its purpose is to attract diverse global talent to the city, promote its strengths and opportunities, and use various talent admission schemes and services to support their professional and personal development.
Government officials and senior figures from business, academia, technology and talent development took part in discussions and talks during the forum and expo, with the two events attracting more than 170,000 online views and over 10,000 in-person visits.
The forum offered insights into a range of topics under the broad theme of “Connecting Global Minds”, including how the integration of education, technology and talent will have an impact on the future of how we work in an ever-changing world.
In his keynote address at the International Talent Forum, Professor Christopher A Pissarides, winner of the Nobel Prize for economics in 2010, set the scene when reviewing current global trends. In particular, he noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are not intended to replace human labour, but to enhance capabilities and drive productivity growth and overall well-being.
“To meet this technological transformation, it is essential to promote lifelong learning and help talent prepare for the future,” said Pissarides, who is regius professor of economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
“As a global financial and trade centre, Hong Kong can leverage the Greater Bay Area [development zone]’s advantages as a hub for innovation hardware and industrial artificial intelligence to attract more young talent and build itself into an international innovation and technology centre.”
In his welcoming speech, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu outlined the steps being taken in response to these shifts and developments.
Lee said that Hong Kong will continue to uphold openness, deepen international engagement and align closely with national development strategies. Policies in education, innovation and infrastructure will be further refined to ensure the city remains a fertile ground for ideas and enterprises, where global talent feels welcomed, valued and supported.
He stressed that while economic indicators and technological achievements are important, human development remains the ultimate goal, and Hong Kong will continue to place people at the centre of its vision for the future.
The forum featured three high-powered panel discussions on subjects of immediate relevance and with far-reaching ramifications.
The first centred on education and the kind of changes that will be necessary to prepare today’s students for a fast-evolving workplace where tech-based skills and mental agility will be at a premium.
Speakers from universities in Hong Kong, the mainland and Britain shared their views on cross-border collaboration, industry partnerships, and how educators must adapt to prepare students for an AI-enabled world through interdisciplinary programmes and new methods of learning and assessment while nurturing their creativity, critical thinking and communication skills.
Entrepreneurs and corporate leaders headlined a later panel discussion focused on technology, which explored what innovative businesses now require from prospective recruits and which attributes are most essential.
Crucially, they examined the impact of AI on different sectors and what it could mean for career pathways, retraining, upskilling and the general job market.
It was emphasised that organisations and individuals must be adaptable and willing to learn as they face a structural reset that requires new ways of thinking and a clear understanding of how the physical and digital worlds come together.
The panel discussion on talent saw respected human resources experts from around the world discuss how technology is reshaping work with a focus on job redesign and the ability to pivot into different roles.
These are the realities for a global pool of talent in an interconnected world, where employers must continue to adapt their strategies to attract the best applicants.
Additional advice and ideas covering these issues were provided at the CareerConnect Expo, held in tandem with the forum, which featured five themed zones to help attendees learn about the resources and opportunities available to support professional development in Hong Kong.
The Talent Zone provided support for those seeking career opportunities and services that will help newcomers settle and integrate into the city, while attendees learned about the innovation and technology ecosystem and connections across the region in the Technology Zone. In the Education Zone, they were able to connect with the city’s leading universities and explore opportunities to further their studies.
The HKTE Hub offered visitors one-stop support services on working, integrating and advancing their career development in the city, while the Connection Hub provided live events and insight-sharing sessions featuring professionals from various industries, and networking opportunities.
Moreover, the nine satellite events being held across the city to complement the Global Talent Summit Week have created a synergy effect that reflects Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a talent hub. These include career fairs hosted by the likes of Cyberport and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, as well as industry-specific talks such as a session about the future of careers in accountancy and finance, organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Felix Chan, director of HKTE, was understandably upbeat when discussing the success of the Global Talent Summit Week.
“The Global Talent Summit Week has clearly showcased Hong Kong’s unique strengths as a connector between the Chinese mainland and the world, as well as its development opportunities,” he said.
“Hong Kong Talent Engage will continue to promote the city’s advantages and attract high-calibre talent from overseas, supporting their settlement and contributing new impetus to the city’s long-term socio-economic development.”
