HONG KONG, May 28 – Hong Kong has extended an open invitation to international students affected by a U.S. government decision to block Harvard University from enrolling foreign nationals, as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing over academic freedom and national security.
The Trump administration last week revoked Harvard’s ability to enrol international students, citing alleged coordination with the Chinese Communist Party and tolerance of antisemitism. The decision, which affects an estimated 1,300 Chinese students – about one-fifth of Harvard’s international intake in 2024 – has sparked concern across global academic circles.
The ban, set to take effect in the 2025–2026 academic year, has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge, with the next hearing scheduled for May 29. In the interim, Hong Kong is positioning itself as a refuge for students caught in the crossfire.
“The Education Bureau has promptly called on all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for those eligible, with a view to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of students and scholars, and to attract top talent,” the bureau said in an emailed statement.
Hong Kong’s University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced on Friday that it would offer unconditional admission, streamlined procedures, and academic support to current Harvard students and those holding confirmed offers.
The Education Bureau added that it is closely monitoring the needs of students affected by the “shifting global education landscape” and will consider additional support as part of Hong Kong’s effort to strengthen its status as an international education hub.
The move highlights a growing divergence in global education policy as the United States increases scrutiny of academic ties with China. Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, is home to five universities ranked among the world’s top 100 by the Times Higher Education.
Long regarded as one of Asia’s most open academic environments, Hong Kong’s education system has come under closer alignment with mainland China since the introduction of a sweeping national security law in 2020. Schools are now required to incorporate national security and patriotic education into curricula.
Despite this shift, Hong Kong officials stress their commitment to internationalisation and academic excellence. “We will continue to keep a close eye on the needs of students whose studies have been affected,” the bureau said.
