'Safe and stable cities draw global talent'

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said places offering safety, stability and abundant opportunities naturally became more appealing to international talent in times of geopolitical uncertainty. He was speaking after being asked at a press conference on Monday over whether the ongoing situation in the Middle East might impact Hong Kong’s ability to attract global professionals. In response, Sun emphasised that as the global landscape shifts, places that offered a combination of security and opportunity would find their appeal enhanced. The labour minister also revealed that the Hong Kong Talent Engage office had drafted an official itinerary for the upcoming year. The office is planning trips to the mainland, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and North America. "For any travel, safety is also the first concern, but once it's safe to fly all over the world, they will make every effort to visit," Sun said. He also said talented professionals will be eager to explore opportunities once conditions allow. "But you can rest assured, for those who are from the Middle East, if they're interested in Hong Kong, they could visit Hong Kong." Hong Kong Talent Engage director Felix Chan said that while the Middle East was among regions being considered for talent outreach, any decisions would depend on the needs of Hong Kong businesses and the types of talent available there. He also said that the office would continue to liaise with local universities and chambers of commerce in identifying the timing that was most suitable for these visits. Edited by Edmond Fong