For Europe, Hong Kong holds a key to China research networks

Higher education cooperation between the European Union (EU) and China has faced substantial challenges due to geopolitical tensions, particularly the EU’s concerns over academic freedom, knowledge security and mutual misperceptions.

In this evolving landscape, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China (hereafter referred to as Hong Kong) could serve as a unique strategic intermediary, given its world-class universities, strong ties with mainland China and commitment to global research standards.

Strategic mediator

Hong Kong has the potential to become a strategic mediator for EU-China higher education cooperation due to the following advantages:

• Academic excellence : Hong Kong boasts a highly competitive higher education system, with five of its eight publicly funded universities ranked among the world’s top 100 in the QS World University Rankings. Despite modest overall rankings, some relatively small institutions are global leaders in specific disciplines – for instance, the Education University of Hong Kong is ranked number 12 in the QS rankings in the field of education in 2025.

At the same time, Hong Kong is actively positioning itself as a premier international education hub. The strong reputation of its universities, combined with the Hong Kong government’s policies, such as the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ initiative and the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies, makes the city an ideal partner for European Union higher education institutions.

These policies aim to attract global talent, promote international education conferences and enhance collaboration between local and overseas institutions. Such efforts create opportunities for reciprocal collaborations to advance knowledge and innovation.

• Culture and language: Hong Kong’s distinctive cultural identity, shaped by its colonial history and Chinese heritage, creates a unique educational environment where ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ philosophies converge. The city’s universities blend pedagogical approaches – emphasising creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking – with a modernised interpretation of Confucian values.

Specifically, their focus on cultivating the ‘whole person’ – individuals who are both intellectually capable and socially responsible – represents an optimal way to integrate Confucian educational values into Western and modern education settings without creating significant cultural clashes.

Unlike more traditional Confucian frameworks criticised during China’s modernisation, this adaptive approach balances virtues, ethics and collective responsibility with Western norms, nurturing globally minded graduates while serving as a model for international cooperation.

Additionally, Hong Kong’s trilingual environment – English, Cantonese and Mandarin – facilitates communication and strengthens cross-cultural understanding between the EU, Hong Kong and mainland China.

The widespread use of English as an academic lingua franca in higher education institutions and as an administrative language makes Hong Kong accessible to a broad base of scholars and contributes to success in global rankings. Meanwhile, knowledge of Chinese provides access to a vast amount of first-hand information within the Sinosphere.

• Global standards: Hong Kong provides a compelling alternative for scholars seeking access to Chinese research networks while operating within an academic environment that upholds global research standards. Many EU universities impose strict requirements on ethical research practices and academic freedom – standards that Hong Kong’s universities largely maintain, despite the more negative image recently portrayed by the Western media.

It is important to highlight that Hong Kong’s education and research system operates independently, as guaranteed by Article 136 of the Basic Law. Many European universities are unaware that Hong Kong has a distinct system managed by its Education Bureau or the University Grants Committee for higher education matters.

For European institutions and individuals facing challenges in collaborating directly with mainland Chinese universities, Hong Kong provides an open platform where mainland, local and international scholars can convene to discuss shared concerns. This environment helps European researchers and students stay connected to China’s rapidly expanding academic and technological sectors.

• A conduit for dialogue: One challenge in EU-China cooperation is the limited understanding among stakeholders in Chinese higher education of Europe’s current concerns – such as knowledge security and academic freedom – which are shaped by geopolitical changes. The frequent exchange of ideas between Hong Kong and mainland Chinese institutions positions Hong Kong as a crucial mediator, helping Chinese actors better understand European concerns.

Likewise, Hong Kong can assist European higher education institutions in gaining a deeper understanding of China, an area where European policy-makers and institutions often struggle when formulating effective strategies for cooperation with China.

Challenges

Despite the promising scenarios, some factors could affect Hong Kong’s long-term viability in this role.

• Academic freedom and political sensitivity: Historically, universities in Hong Kong have enjoyed a high degree of institutional autonomy, adhering to Western norms of open inquiry and critical discourse. While academic practices largely remain intact, recent political developments have sparked concerns about self-censorship, changes in governance and restrictions on research topics.

As a result, some European institutions have grown hesitant to pursue long-term collaborations, uncertain about Hong Kong’s ability to uphold academic independence. If these concerns persist, EU universities may increasingly seek alternative partners.

• Less exposure to continental Europe: Hong Kong universities have relatively weaker connections with higher education institutions in continental Europe than with Anglophone countries such as the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong’s Anglophone-centric higher education system limits its exposure to continental European academic structures, and its tendency to prioritise collaborations with highly ranked institutions further narrows opportunities, as only a few European universities are ranked among the global top 100 or 200.

Nevertheless, Hong Kong has the potential to act as a neutral platform for dialogue, fostering academic exchanges between mainland China and Europe. Proactively engaging in such collaborations would deepen global integration and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an academic bridge.

However, hesitation or passivity in pursuing stronger ties with continental European institutions could further weaken these already limited connections, hindering Hong Kong’s aspirations to establish itself as a global academic bridge.

Economic hurdles

Hong Kong’s rise as a global academic hub has been driven by sustained government investment, but it now faces dual economic challenges. On the one hand, an imminent budget deficit has prompted university funding cuts for 2025-28, threatening research initiatives and international partnerships.

On the other hand, US trade policies targeting China, including Hong Kong, are further tightening financial prospects. Simultaneously, regional competitors such as Singapore and Taiwan are actively expanding their international education networks, attracting top scholars and offering competitive research funding.

If Hong Kong does not adapt and strive to maintain its global standing, it risks being overshadowed as a preferred partner for EU higher education institutions.

Furthermore, critical factors such as visa regulations, funding policies for joint research projects and institutional autonomy on both sides will play a pivotal role in shaping EU-Hong Kong academic cooperation in the years ahead.

Policy recommendations

To fully realise Hong Kong’s potential as a gateway for EU-China higher education cooperation, we propose the following policy recommendations to strengthen collaboration between Hong Kong and European higher education institutions.

First, policy-makers in Hong Kong and Europe should intensify dialogue and coordinate support for joint research funding, academic exchanges and the safeguarding of academic autonomy. These measures will help build and maintain a strong foundation of trust among international collaborators.

Second, sustained investment in research areas of common interest is essential. Prioritising fields such as digital transformation, public health and climate science – alongside sectors with fewer knowledge security concerns like education, social policy and urban development – will yield mutual benefits for both European and Hong Kong higher education institutions.

Third, expanding expertise in European affairs and strengthening networks with European higher education institutions are critical for actors in Hong Kong. Greater participation in European research frameworks, such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, supported by dedicated matching funds, can reinforce collaborative efforts and deepen mutual engagement.

Fourth, given the autonomy of Hong Kong higher education institutions, active collaborations at both the institutional and faculty levels should be encouraged. Joint education initiatives, faculty exchanges and co-funded projects will foster deeper mutual understanding and build enduring relationships between scholars.

Fifth, addressing the limited awareness among European universities about Hong Kong’s unique higher education system is vital. Targeted outreach is needed to showcase Hong Kong as an open space for multilingual and multicultural dialogue, thereby highlighting its potential as a neutral platform for academic exchange.

Finally, international relations offices at European universities should recognise Hong Kong as a neutral platform for dialogue. By engaging in trilateral initiatives involving Hong Kong, European institutions can maintain connections with mainland Chinese academic networks while benefiting from Hong Kong’s adherence to global academic standards.

Yuzhuo Cai is a professor in the department of education policy and leadership and the co-director of the Global Research Institute for Finnish Education, the Education University of Hong Kong. E-mail: cyuzhuo@eduhk.hk

This article is a commentary. Commentary articles are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of University World News.