Hong Kong’s international student policy (1997–Present): Changing logic, institutional characteristics and development trend from the perspective of policy tools

Abstract

In the context of globalisation and intensifying competition for talent, Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region of China, has adjusted its international student policies to establish itself as a “global post-secondary education hub.” This study addresses the lack of multi-dimensional policy instrument analysis by applying an integrated framework that combines policy instrument and policy capacity theories. Through the analysis of policy documents and existing literature, it examines the evolution of Hong Kong’s international student policies since 1997 and identifies three key institutional characteristics: balancing expansion with quality assurance, friction within the admission-employment-settlement chain, and the dilemma of cross-border standardisation. The study proposes five directions for institutional reform. These findings contribute theoretical insights to policy instrument research in non-Western contexts and offer practical implications for Hong Kong’s development as a high-quality international education hub.

Document Type: Original article

Cited as:

Shi, T., Xie, Z. Y., & Huang, Y. N. (2025). Hong Kong’s international student policy (1997–Present): Changing logic, institutional characteristics and development trend from the perspective of policy tools. Education and Lifelong Development Research, 2(4): 181-192. https://doi.org/10.46690/elder.2025.04.03

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