Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words The policy address has sparked discussion across Hong Kong. Afterwards, I had the privilege of speaking directly with Chief Executive John Lee during a special phone-in programme on RTHK Radio 3. I seized the opportunity to raise two issues: higher education and halal inclusivity, both critical to Hong Kong’s continued development.
On higher education, the chief executive confirmed the government’s decision to increase the
non-local undergraduate quota at publicly funded universities from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. Importantly, he assured listeners that the 15,000 places for local students would remain unchanged. The goal, he explained, is to broaden local students’ horizons and establish Hong Kong as a leading global education hub. University leaders have confirmed their capacity to accommodate more students without sacrificing quality. The government is promoting scholarship schemes and outreach to belt and road countries and beyond, in a bid to encourage more diverse non-local enrolments, which have so far been heavily weighted towards mainland China.
Turning to halal inclusivity, I welcomed recent efforts to make Hong Kong
more Muslim-friendly, while noting persistent gaps in prayer room availability and halal dining options at public venues and major events. The chief executive responded with genuine openness. He outlined a new government initiative to subsidise restaurants seeking halal certification and acknowledged that Hong Kong is still at a learning stage regarding Muslim lifestyles and religious practices. “The whole community has to learn,” he said. “I think Ilnur is right that we can work more with the local Muslim community to make Hong Kong stronger in that regard.”
This candid exchange showed a government listening closely to public concerns and mindful of the complexities in balancing growth with inclusiveness. To sustain Hong Kong’s vibrancy as a cosmopolitan city, transparency, commitment and collaboration across government, business and society will be crucial. Inclusive policies must reach beyond visitors and investors to embrace the diverse communities who call Hong Kong home.
Ilnur Minakhmetov, Yau Ma Tei
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