Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Monday that Hong Kong has received more than 160,000 applications for its various talent admission schemes, and approved more than 60 percent of them so far.

Speaking at an international talent summit, Chan said 100,000 applications have been approved as of September – and 60,000 people have already moved to the territory, surpassing the annual target of 35,000 set at the beginning of the year.

The financial chief said the SAR government will continue to collaborate with other Greater Bay Area cities to attract talent.

“Different economic bodies are striving to attract high-quality talents and professionals. Hong Kong and the other cities in the Greater Bay Area need to stand out in the international talent competition to ensure high-quality development,” he said.

Meanwhile, labour secretary Chris Sun revealed that around 39,000 people who moved here are relatively young candidates under the Top Talent Pass Scheme – a programme rolled out last December to entice top-tier professionals and graduates.

He said their arrival could mitigate the city’s ageing population problem.

“About one-third of them are younger than 30, about 70 percent are aged 40 or below, and 90 percent are aged 50 or below. Those who arrive possess either high qualifications, high income, or are very young," he said.

"They can also apply for their partners and children to accompany them."

Sun said the government will offer assistance in various areas – such as education, housing and job-seeking – to help them settle in the SAR.