Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the ​Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026 High Table Banquet tonight (October 27):

Your Excellency Mr Jeremić (Former President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Vuk Jeremić), President Priscilla Leung (Member of the Legislative Council and Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship, Professor Priscilla Leung), Vice Chairman Augustine Wong (Member of the Legislative Council and Founding Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening! Building on the resounding success of the first Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit in 2024, this year's Summit once again brings together university leaders and senior management from different countries and regions, as well as outstanding young entrepreneurs and student representatives. Wherever you are from, I extend to you Hong Kong’s very warm welcome. Your very presence encapsulates what this Summit is about: connection and collaboration.

     Earlier today, the discussion sessions have provided much food for thought for exploring knowledge networks, public-private education ecosystems, policy governance, and the vital role of higher education in developing industry-ready talent for a globalised society. Tomorrow, the dialogue will branch out into the big data challenge and examine cross-sector collaboration, demographic shifts, AI ethics and Hong Kong's strategic legal and youth opportunities. These are not separate conversations but different dimensions of a shared agenda: to bring the Government, industry, academia, research and investment together in cross-sector and cross-border co-operation.

     The Northern Metropolis of Hong Kong, and the university town at its heart, provides a concrete foundation to put that co-operation into practice. As set out in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, both announced last month, the Northern Metropolis will be developed with the objective of providing an ideal environment for university towns, innovation and technology, industry, and living, work and travel. Serving as a base and key strategic vehicle for driving high-quality post-secondary education development, it will integrate technological and industry innovation, while attracting international high-calibre talent. The Northern Metropolis will also function as a main platform for Hong Kong to deeply engage in and benefit from the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which, if taken as a single economic entity with a combined GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of US$2 trillion by 2024-25, would have ranked the 16th largest economy, closely after Australia and Spain and before the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.

     At the heart of the Northern Metropolis are three university towns in the San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling areas, spreading across an area of over 1 000 hectares. These university towns, each with its own focus, will integrate talent cultivation, scientific research, transformation of outcomes and industry development. We will expedite the planning and development of the university towns for the first batch of institutions to move in by 2027-2028.

     In addition to accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, the National 15th Five-Year Plan has also entrusted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with the mission of building an international hub for high-calibre talent. To this end, we will establish the "Study in Hong Kong" brand, and encourage post-secondary institutions to actively organise more exchange activities. We will also continue to make good use of various measures, such as a Funding Scheme for Chinese Mainland and Global Engagement and Student Learning Experience, which has an additional injection of HK$100 million starting from the 2026-27 academic year, to broaden the horizons of Hong Kong students, enhance cross-cultural exchanges on campus, and foster a diverse and inclusive international learning environment.

     Dear leaders and guests, what I have said are more than policies, we are opening doors and our arms. Let us work together to build connections that endure beyond this Summit, and transform shared ideas into mutual values.

     I wish the Summit great success and you all a chilled evening and a fruitful, thought-provoking time at the Summit. Thank you very much.

Ends/Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:23

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