Sources said the government plans to raise university tuition fees over the coming three years, with annual increases of between five and nine percent.

Education Secretary Christine Choi had previously said it was time to raise the HK$42,100 annual tuition fee for local students at University Grants Committee-funded institutions, as it had remained unchanged since 1996.

She said the increase would be phased in as early as next year.

Choi said the current fee covers only 13 percent of the total cost and the government's target is for the fee to cover 18 percent of the cost.

Choi met with some lawmakers to explain the plan, with the government expected to make an announcement on the matter soon.