John Lee lauds Hong Kong’s unique advantages in attracting global talent

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told a government-organized summit on talent on Tuesday that Hong Kong is the right place for global talent with its unique advantage of being an international financial center and having close links with mainland China.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the summit, Lee said he welcomes talent from around the world to explore opportunities in the city amid a global talent trawl, with Hong Kong being the only city where "the global and China advantages" come together.

Lee lauded institutional strengths including prime business prospects because of the One Country, Two Systems principle, a low tax system, as well as the free flow of information, capital, goods and people.

"In Hong Kong, you don't just get world-class work opportunities, you get a satisfying life, too," Lee noted in his opening speech.

"Yes, choosing to relocate to Hong Kong on your own or with your loved ones is a big decision. But I'm here to tell you, that this is the place where you can work hard, play hard and enjoy hard."

The two-day Global Talent Summit · Hong Kong that opened today has attracted some 1,200 participants. The Summit comprises of various parts, including the International Talent Forum today and the Second Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area High-quality Talent Development Conference to be held tomorrow (May 8).

A CareerConnect Expo will also be held concurrently on both days to offer quality job information and tailored solutions for talent who are interested in coming to Hong Kong or have recently arrived in the city. 

Also speaking at the summit, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han, said a significant proportion of talent recruited through various talent admission schemes has come from mainland China, in which the government will, in the future, strengthen overseas promotion efforts.

Sun said the SAR will aim for talent in Southeast Asia and Europe and further develop and strengthen Hong Kong's role as a talent hub, leveraging its capabilities.

He emphasized that any talent scheme is premised on local manpower shortages, and the government will ensure that local residents are given priority in employment opportunities.