Hong Kong has solidified its status as Asia’s premier international education destination during the record-breaking 2026 Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition. Hosted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong from March 1-3, the event attracted over 3,000 educational leaders, scholars and professionals from more than 70 countries and regions—the highest attendance in the conference’s history.
Professor Venky Shankararaman, president of APAIE, emphasized Hong Kong’s unique positioning as both a global gateway and cultural melting pot. ‘Hong Kong’s open, internationalized environment creates ideal conditions for connecting China with the world,’ Shankararaman stated. ‘The city provides fertile ground for cultivating international talent and fostering diverse innovation through its exceptional connectivity, world-class infrastructure and rich blend of Eastern and Western cultures.’
The conference coincided with the official launch of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s ‘Study in Hong Kong’ branding initiative. This strategic campaign aims to promote the city’s advantages as a top-tier study destination, highlighting its remarkable concentration of academic excellence—five universities ranked among the world’s top 100 within a metropolitan area of 7.7 million residents.
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, noted that Hong Kong’s educational strengths extend beyond rankings. ‘Our advantages include state-of-the-art facilities, groundbreaking research capabilities, innovative talent development programs, and robust technological innovation ecosystems,’ Lo explained. He emphasized that these assets, combined with the HKSAR Government’s proactive talent attraction policies and comprehensive study-to-employment pathways, make Hong Kong uniquely positioned to serve global students.
The conference’s Youth Forum emerged as a particular highlight, featuring international student representatives from eight countries sharing their transformative educational experiences in Hong Kong. Educational experts at the event noted that Hong Kong’s appeal is magnified by broader macro trends including regional economic integration, technological advancement, demographic changes, and evolving global governance structures.
Looking forward, the event served not only to showcase Hong Kong’s current educational offerings but also to chart a forward-looking blueprint for Asia-Pacific higher education cooperation. With strong backing from the vast mainland Chinese market and unparalleled international connections, Hong Kong is poised to continue its ascent as a world-leading education hub.