Full text of "The Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address" (5)

Publication of Section E – International Hub for High-calibre Talent

On 16 Sep 2026, the Information Services Department published Section E of The Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. In its most recent global assessments (2025), Hong Kong secured fourth place in the World Talent Ranking and third position globally for education competitiveness, with five local universities ranked among the world's top one hundred.

Strategic Framework: Integrated Development of Education, Technology and Talent

The Government has adopted a holistic approach to promote the integrated development of education, technology and talent. This entails strengthening strategic co-ordination mechanisms for policy implementation while reinforcing the respective roles of educational institutions, research institutes, innovation platforms and enterprises in both attracting and nurturing human capital. The overarching objective is to cultivate talent in a coordinated manner aligned with technological innovation imperatives, industrial development priorities and national strategic needs. Specific measures include refining processes for identifying, selecting and developing young innovative talent; adopting targeted recruitment strategies for skills essential to the country's and Hong Kong's economic advancement; intensifying proactive outreach programmes directed at overseas professionals; and consolidating the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand as a flagship initiative.

Establishment of the 'Study in Hong Kong' Brand: Post-Secondary Promotion Initiatives

To advance post-secondary education promotion and attract outstanding students from across the globe, the Education Bureau ("EDB") has established the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong. In support of this mandate, the EDB organised the inaugural 'Study in Hong Kong Week' as well as the largest-ever Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference and Exhibition to date. Additionally, the first International Symposium convened under the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences ("UAS") was held, affording global education leaders a forum to exchange perspectives on critical issues and emerging trends in post-secondary education.

The Government is pursuing an intensive programme to position Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent through the following measures:

(i) Driving the 'Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus' international promotion campaign, including the organisation of exhibitions in target markets such as countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative;

(ii) UGC-funded universities planning to conduct more than 160 recruitment activities across the Chinese Mainland and overseas during the 2026/27 academic year to attract outstanding students worldwide; and

(iii) Extending by two years the pilot arrangement permitting graduates from Greater Bay Area campuses of Hong Kong universities to participate in the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, thereby enabling a greater number of exceptional talent to remain in or relocate to Hong Kong for employment.

Student Accommodation Infrastructure: The Hostels in the City Scheme

The Hostels in the City Scheme, jointly launched by the Development Bureau ("DEVB") and the EDB in July 2025, has removed regulatory barriers and eased restrictive conditions to incentivise market participants to convert or redevelop existing commercial buildings into student hostels on a self-financing and privately-operated basis. Since inception, forty-one applications have been confirmed, securing approximately 10,800 bed spaces for provision. The DEVB will put the first designated student hostel site up for sale during this financial year ("FY2026/27").

In parallel, the EDB is supporting the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council in formulating a Code of Practice for Operating Student Hostels. This instrument will establish binding standards pertaining to accommodation quality, hygiene protocols, safety requirements and warden arrangements, ensuring compliance by operators intending to provide residential facilities for non-local students (in particular minors) so as to guarantee suitable living conditions.

Expansion of Direct Subsidy Schools and International School Development

The EDB will continue advancing the 'Direct Subsidy Scheme ("DSS") Expansion' initiative, with enhanced publicity efforts directed at attracting overseas students. To date, forty-eight DSS schools have been authorised to participate in the programme; these institutions commenced progressive intake of new overseas students from September 2026. Furthermore, the Government has announced plans to allocate sites in New Territories or other designated areas during next year (2027) for the development of international schools.

Enhancement of Immigration Facilitation Measures for Talent Acquisition

To concentrate efforts on attracting requisite talent and facilitating cross-border exchange and training, the following measures will be implemented:

(i) Consideration of additional talent categories relating to artificial intelligence application to enrich the existing Talent List, which currently encompasses sixty professions in short supply locally (including finance, healthcare, as well as information technology);

(ii) Relaxation of requirements governing extension of stay under the Top Talent Pass Scheme ("TTPS") for technology start-up personnel; proprietors of technology enterprises supported by designated public sector organisations will be exempted from obligations such as providing evidence of company income when applying for TTPS renewal, thereby facilitating their continued development in Hong Kong;

(iii) Expansion of the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons by extending its coverage beyond current ASEAN Member States to countries and regions in Central Asia and the Middle East, with all bureaux and departments empowered to issue invitations under the scheme to promote economic and trade interactions; and

(iv) Introduction of a new visa category permitting non-local individuals to participate in short-term training programmes conducted in Hong Kong as recognised by relevant bureaux and departments, advancing the jurisdiction's development into a regional training hub.

Deepening Hong Kong's Position as an International Legal and Dispute Resolution Services Centre

Hong Kong leverages its distinctive bilingual common law system—operating under both Chinese and English within the constitutional framework of 'one country, two systems'—to contribute to upholding an impartial and reasonable international rule-of-law order. Its dispute-resolution mechanisms remain aligned with internationally accepted standards. The jurisdiction is committed to providing first-class professional legal services to Mainland enterprises seeking to expand overseas ('go global'), through enhancement of diversified high-end dispute resolution channels encompassing litigation, arbitration and mediation; consolidation of top-tier legal talent pools; and promotion of closer alignment between Greater Bay Area legal rules.

Support for the International Mediation Bureau (IOMed)

The Government will continue to render full institutional support to IOMed, which is headquartered in Hong Kong. This includes hosting both the Governing Council meeting for Contracting States and the annual forum by year's end 2026. Priority treatment shall be accorded to government contracts involving international commercial matters as well as agreements where a HKSAR party is involved. Furthermore, IOMed is welcomed to accept disputes arising in emerging industries including commodity trading and the space economy.

The Government continues its 'mediate first' policy directive by mandating incorporation of mediation clauses in all government contracts executed going forward.

Expansion of Mediation Culture: Community Schemes, Institutional Mechanisms and Regulatory Reform

The Pilot Scheme on Community Mediation has been providing targeted mediation skills training to property management personnel for the resolution of neighbourhood disputes (e.g. water seepage matters). The Home Affairs Department ("HAD") will introduce a three-tier mechanism next year (2027) for resolving building management disputes:

Tier I – District Council members undertake early intervention, working with neighbouring residents to address building management issues and concerns through amicable negotiation.

Tier II – Where matters remain unresolved at Tier I, DC members shall refer the parties to professional mediation services established by HAD, comprising: (a) the Free Mediation Service Scheme, which provides free professional mediation conducted by accredited mediators; (b) the Panel of Advisors on Building Management Disputes, offering complimentary advisory services wherein professionals provide neutral, authoritative and expert guidance; and (c) the Building Management Dispute Resolution Service, delivering free dispute resolution steered by a retired judge or judicial officer.

Tier III – Should matters remain unsatisfactorily resolved following Tiers I and II, consideration may be given to referral of cases before the courts.

The Housing Bureau ("HB") together with relevant organisations will jointly introduce the 'Pro-bono Mediation Service Scheme for the Basic Housing Unit Regime' by year's end 2026. The Consumer Council is set to launch a pilot scheme on mediation designed to assist consumers and traders in resolving commercial disputes. In addition, the Department of Justice ("DoJ") has accepted seven recommendations from the Working Group on Mediation Regulatory System; a bill will be introduced into LegCo by the end of 2026 enabling parties who have failed to reach consensus on mediator selection to apply for appointment through Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited.

Establishment of IUPIL's Inaugural Overseas Liaison Office in Hong Kong

The year 2026 marks the centenary anniversary of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law ("IUPIL"). The Government will actively pursue establishment of its inaugural overseas liaison office in Hong Kong, representing IUPIL's first operational presence outside Rome since its founding.

International Commercial Court and the Hong Kong International Legal Service Building

The Government supports the Judiciary in advancing development of the International Commercial Court ("ICC"), including inviting judges from other common law jurisdictions to adjudicate international commercial cases through more efficient procedural frameworks. The DoJ is pressing ahead with preparatory work for construction of the Hong Kong International Legal Service Building, targeted to commence by end of next year (2027).

Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy: Capacity-Building and Global Engagement

Since its establishment, the Academy has collaborated with approximately thirty international legal organisations, central government ministries and professional bodies, delivering training to more than 5,000 legal professionals. Going forward, it will organise wider-ranging programmes, explore cross-jurisdictional research on common law systems and other legal traditions, hold regular high-end international seminars, and support its development into a dedicated capacity-building centre with particular emphasis on Belt and Road partner countries.

Consolidating Hong Kong's Standing as a Leading Global Arbitration Seat

In the 2025 International Arbitration Survey, Hong Kong—jointly with Singapore—was ranked second-most preferred seat globally for arbitration and retained its position as the most preferred venue in Asia-Pacific. The DoJ will draw upon recommendations from the Working Group on Arbitration Law Reform to complete legislative amendments to the Arbitration Ordinance within next year (2027). Separately, the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution continues to operate, with active exploration of co-operative arrangements with international sports associations.

Development of a Regional Intellectual Property Trading Centre: Strategic Framework

The Government is advancing a comprehensive IP trading agenda encompassing promotion of patents, trademarks, registered designs and copyright regimes; strengthening in-house examination capacity under the original grant patent ("OGP") system; improving registration efficiency; promoting intellectual property valuation and financing mechanisms; reducing transaction costs associated with IP trading; and nurturing skilled professional talent across the sector.

Intellectual Property Valuation and Financing: The IP Financing Sandbox

Since its launch last year (2025), the IP financing sandbox has recorded success cases. This initiative provides a collaborative, risk-controlled environment in which banks, enterprises and professional service sector participants jointly pilot intellectual property financing arrangements. In light of market response, preparation for an expanded next phase with broader participation is currently underway. The Business of IP Asia Forum is scheduled for November 2026, themed on IP financing.

Patent Examination Capacity Expansion, Academy Launch and Regulatory Reform

The Intellectual Property Department ("IPD") continues to expand its patent examination team and will roll out pilot facilitation measures next year (2027). The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Academy is set for official launch in Q4 2026, providing systematic on-the-job training programmes. An industry consultation has been completed; a public consultation commences this year (2026), with legislative proposals to be formulated next year governing the regulation of local patent agency services.

The Government will introduce a bill during this year (2026) implementing tax-deduction arrangements for capital expenditure incurred in purchasing intellectual property rights or licences, thereby supporting trading development. In addition, the 'Strategy Committee on Intellectual Property Trading Development' is to be established, convening representatives from innovation and technology sectors, creative industries, commerce, and IP professional services.

Cultivation of an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange

Since promulgation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the country has expressly endorsed Hong Kong's development as a centre for international cultural exchange where Eastern and Western cultures converge. The Government will expand the scale of arts, culture and creative industries while reinforcing Hong Kong's role as an international arts trading platform.

West Kowloon Cultural District: Global Positioning and Institutional Partnerships

The West Kowloon Cultural District ("WKCD") ranks among the world's largest cultural hubs; in 2025 it attracted more than seventeen million visitors. The district has entered into nearly fifty collaborative agreements with renowned arts and cultural institutions globally.

WestK Performing Arts Centre: Inaugural Programming

The WestK Performing Arts Centre, scheduled to open next year (2027), will feature four performance venues constructed to the highest international theatre standards. Among these is 'Dancehouse', Hong Kong's first dedicated venue for dance art. The inaugural season features a world premiere of a large-scale production alongside debuts of internationally acclaimed shows.

Over the next two years, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will take its collections on overseas tours, with Australia and Uzbekistan among the confirmed destinations.

Arts Trading Hub Development: Market Positioning and Institutional Initiatives

Hong Kong ranks among the world's top three arts trading centres. A dedicated study is to be completed within this year (2026). The WKCD will welcome its first Mainland-based arts auction house later in 2026, while WestK Academy has organised an international fellowship programme for practising and aspiring auctioneers.

Arts Funding Reform and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

The Government is injecting $200 million into the Arts Portion of the Arts and Sport Development Fund. A performance- and artistic merit-linked funding mechanism will be introduced while maintaining current overall funding levels for major performing arts groups, with the aim of encouraging creative innovation and providing opportunities for medium-sized outstanding ensembles.

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts ("HKAPA") ranked tenth globally and first in Asia in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The institution is currently advancing a temporary campus extension at Chai Wan, alongside formulation of its long-term second-campus construction plan in New Territories.