Hong Kong has announced plans to welcome more international students to its universities, a move seen as a response to the recent US government decision targeting Harvard University’s foreign student admissions.
The Trump administration had sought to block Harvard from enrolling foreign nationals, escalating tensions amid ongoing disputes between Washington and Beijing.
The controversial policy, temporarily halted by a US judge after Harvard challenged it in court, raised uncertainty over the futures of thousands of international students and the financial impact on US institutions.
In a statement on Friday, Hong Kong’s Education Secretary Christine Choi encouraged local universities to extend support to international students affected by the US policy.
She noted that the Education Bureau is urging universities to relax foreign student limits and implement facilitation measures to attract top talent from around the globe.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) quickly responded, inviting international students currently enrolled or admitted to Harvard to transfer and continue their studies in Hong Kong.
HKUST promised unconditional offers, streamlined admissions, and academic support to ensure a smooth transition for these students.
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While Harvard remains the top-ranked university globally according to US News and World Report, HKUST holds a respectable 105th place out of over 2,000 ranked institutions.
The US Department of Homeland Security justified its move by accusing Harvard of fostering anti-Semitism and colluding with the Chinese Communist Party—allegations condemned by Beijing as political interference harming international educational cooperation.
Approximately 1,300 Chinese students attend Harvard, representing about one-fifth of its international student body.
Many more Chinese students study across US universities, traditionally seen as hubs of academic freedom and excellence.
The dispute underscores growing geopolitical tensions affecting global education and student mobility, with Hong Kong positioning itself as a welcoming alternative for displaced international students.