The education chief assured locals they need not worry about their chances of being admitted to schools and universities despite the government's concerted efforts to attract non-local students.

Speaking on RTHK's Overview Policy programme aired on Wednesday, Christine Choi said even though society requires people with different applied skills, student enrolment numbers have been falling short of retirees every year.

Therefore, she said, there is a need to lure in youngsters from outside the SAR into those professions or fields covered by Hong Kong's various talent schemes.

But she emphasised that due to a drop in the student population, there are more school places than the number of school-age students.

Choi pointed out that due to the latest technological developments and changes in the mode of economic development, vocational education is becoming more important and there is an urgent need to nurture talent with applied skills.

Due to geopolitical tensions as well as technological competition, she said, the world is focused on attracting top talent, and Hong Kong needs to build a talent hub.

Choi noted that universities in Hong Kong are very international and diversified and have high scientific research standards.

As many of the courses are ranked in the top 50 globally and a lot of the world's top academics are in the SAR, Choi believes these twin strengths can help attract non-local students to pursue studies here.

She also said that as the SAR is inclined towards interdisciplinary education – for instance, engineering programmes may now incorporate artificial intelligence elements – the planned Northern Metropolis University Town will emphasise inter-institutional and disciplinary cooperation.