Chris Sun highlights international perspectives of imported talents

The Labour minister said on Saturday that the focus remains on the abilities as well as the perspectives of imported talents instead of their nationalities.

Around 95 percent of those coming to Hong Kong through the Top Talent Pass Scheme are from the mainland, but Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun emphasized that it does not make the scheme any less international.

The minister pointed out that most of the talents coming from Category C of the scheme - full-time bachelor's degree graduates in the past five years with less than three years of work experience - attained their degrees from universities in the United States.

"While they may be from the mainland, they received higher education in America. Obviously, they have a more international perspective. With these people in Hong Kong, I am sure they will bring benefits and add value to our economy," Sun said.

The first batch of talented people is expected to apply for a visa renewal early next year.

Although the bureau is still reviewing the scheme, which was rolled out in 2022, it still plans to diversify its overseas talent pool.

Sun said Malaysia would be the authorities' first destination in Southeast Asia, citing the compatibility with the ethnic Chinese community, which is mostly trilingual.

Meanwhile, Sun added that the government has approved 21,000 Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme applications.

However, he stressed that if the shortage of local labor forces is alleviated, the authority will "definitely" reduce its quotas for imported labor.

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