Press Release - May 7, 2003

The Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr. Donald Tsang, said Hong Kong people studying overseas are welcome to join the HKSAR Government to help build "a dynamic, visionary and knowledge-based civil service".

Responding to a question from Leung Fu-wah in the HKSAR Legislative Council today, Donald Tsang said the HKSAR Government, as the largest employer in Hong Kong, has always strived to provide a good working environment and challenging jobs for such talent.

He said the HKSAR Government has a system of recognising the qualification of non-Hong Kong degrees and courses as part of its appointment policy.

The key objective of Hong Kong's population policy is to secure and nurture a population which sustains our development as a knowledge-based economy.

He said the return of Hong Kong people educated overseas who have diversified exposure and experience "can help to improve the overall quality of our population to meet our vision of Hong Kong as a knowledge-based economy and a world-class city".

This policy is consistent with the HKSAR Financial Secretary's previous advocacy that local students should be encouraged to work in the Mainland.

Mr Tsang said: "There are numerous joint opportunities for Hong Kong and other cities in the Mainland, in particular the Pearl River Delta Region. To maximise mutual benefits, great emphasis will need to be placed on collaboration and co-operation.

"Encouraging local students to work on the Mainland would enable them to gain exposure and experience as well as network on the Mainland. This would benefit the local market when they return in the same way as the return of Hong Kong people educated overseas."

Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government through its Economic & Trade Offices overseas maintains regular contact with overseas students to encourage them to work in Hong Kong.

The trade offices also organise briefings, including those by visiting senior officials, to update students on the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong.

Discussion has also started among the relevant bureaux to co-ordinate their efforts and develop a coherent strategy to woo local talent studying overseas.