Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun has highlighted Hong Kong’s stable and secure environment as a growing competitive advantage in the global race for talent, particularly amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Saturday, he said that against the current backdrop of geopolitical instability, Hong Kong's unique strengths were set to become increasingly prominent, both in the immediate future and over the medium to long term.

Drawing on recent experience, Sun noted that feedback from newcomers consistently pointed to security as a top reason for their choosing the city.

“One of Hong Kong's advantages that is frequently mentioned is safety," he said.

"In addition to our strong educational resources and diverse opportunities, safety is a crucial factor – often ranked first or second – in their considerations."

A secure and stable environment, Sun said, is valued immensely by global professionals.

“With the shift in events, the importance of safety is growing," he said.

"From that perspective, both my team and I believe that this enhances our ability to draw talent, not only from the Middle East but from around the world."

While acknowledging that relocation decisions take time due to family and other considerations, the labour chief expressed confidence that the city's reputation as a safe environment would greatly amplify its ability to attract international professionals.

Sun also revealed that, after three years of focused work, approximately 270,000 talents had arrived in Hong Kong through various talent schemes, injecting fresh momentum into the economy and yielding encouraging results.

Among these, he said, the Top Talent Pass Scheme accounted for about 40 percent of arrivals.

Sun added that the scheme boasts an application renewal rate of approximately 54 percent and a success rate of nearly 95 percent.

The majority of these top-tier professionals are engaged in business and trade, he said, followed by the finance sector.

A significant portion of these new arrivals, he added, is also contributing to innovation and technology, with one in every six new arrivals working in that field.

Sun emphasised that these individuals were contributing to tech innovations and diversifying Hong Kong's economic development.




Edited by Robert Kemp