Hong Kong has pledged to welcome more international students into its universities, particularly those affected by a controversial US decision to block Harvard University from enrolling foreign nationals.
The announcement comes during worsening diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing, including tensions over trade, human rights, and academic exchange. On Thursday, the administration of US President Donald Trump moved to ban Harvard from admitting foreign students, a decision that was temporarily suspended after the university launched legal action.
Responding to the development, Hong Kong’s Education Secretary Christine Choi called on local institutions to extend a helping hand to affected students.
“We urge all universities in Hong Kong to facilitate admissions for qualified students impacted by the new US policy,” Choi said on Friday. She noted that Hong Kong’s Education Bureau had asked institutions to take steps such as lifting quotas on international enrolment to accommodate displaced students.
Choi’s comments came as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) issued a public invitation to any foreign student currently enrolled at or admitted to Harvard, offering them a place to continue their studies in Hong Kong.
“To ensure that exceptional students can pursue their academic ambitions without interruption, HKUST is offering unconditional admission, simplified enrolment procedures, and academic support,” the university said in a statement.
Although Harvard currently tops the US News and World Report’s global university rankings, HKUST also ranks highly — placing 105th out of more than 2,000 institutions.
President Trump has repeatedly criticised Harvard in recent months, accusing the university of promoting anti-Semitic sentiments and fostering a “woke” liberal agenda. Tensions came to a head after the university reportedly refused to comply with the administration’s demands for greater oversight of its hiring and admissions processes.
On Thursday, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed the administration’s move would ensure Harvard is “held accountable for inciting violence, anti-Semitism, and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party.”
A federal judge paused the implementation of the admissions ban on Friday, ruling that the administration’s action appeared legally questionable and warranted further examination.
Beijing quickly condemned the US decision, accusing Washington of politicising education and undermining long-standing academic collaboration between the two countries.
“This only tarnishes the global image and credibility of the United States,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Chinese students comprise a significant share of Harvard’s international cohort — approximately 1,300, or one-fifth of the total, according to the university’s data. In total, hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals are currently enrolled across US higher education institutions, which have long been seen in China as symbols of academic excellence and freedom.
