Hong Kong’s No 2 official credits government for success in university rankings

Hong Kong’s strong performance in the latest regional university rankings – with five institutions among Asia’s top 10 – is the result of sustained government investment and clear policy direction, the city’s No 2 official has said, as a global alliance of 23 universities eyes the Northern Metropolis for collaboration opportunities.

Addressing leaders from more than 50 top universities across five continents at the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 on Wednesday, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, said the latest QS Asia University Rankings, announced a day earlier, showed that higher education has always been a vital pillar of Hong Kong’s success.

“This is not by chance. It is the result of sustained government investment, clear policy direction and the hard work of our universities. It reflects our commitment to excellence, openness, academic freedom and institutional autonomy,” said Chan, currently the acting chief executive.