Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, announced the 2025–26 Budget today (Feb. 26), highlighting the government's plan to establish a third medical school to address the city's healthcare talent shortage. In his speech, Chan revealed that the government has invited local universities to submit proposals for the school's construction. Furthermore, the government will support the project with matching resources. However, government sources clarified that there is no rigid requirement for the school to be developed solely by local universities. Should the submitted proposals fail to meet the necessary standards, the project could remain unawarded. It was also emphasized that a university's financial contribution is not the primary consideration.

The sources further disclosed that the government has identified Yau Tam Mei, Yuen Long, as the preferred location for a public comprehensive hospital, with long-term plans to establish the third medical school in the same area. However, the construction of the hospital and the medical school may not proceed in parallel.

According to preliminary plans submitted earlier by the Development Bureau to the Legislative Council, approximately 127 hectares of land in Yau Tam Mei have been earmarked for development. Around 46 hectares will be allocated for a university campus, including the proposed medical school, while an additional 9 hectares will be set aside for the construction of an integrated teaching, research, and medical hospital.

This initiative aims to tackle HK's healthcare talent shortages and enhance the city's medical education and services. The government will evaluate proposals based on their quality and feasibility to ensure the new medical school meets future healthcare demands.

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