Beijing Urges Tsinghua Alumni to Support Hong Kong’s National Development

Zhou Ji, the director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, has called on alumni of Tsinghua University to utilize their professional networks, patriotism, and pragmatism to help the city better align with China’s national development strategies.

Speaking on Sunday, May 3, 2026, during an event involving the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Hong Kong, Zhou emphasized the role of the university’s graduates in bridging the gap between the city’s international standing and the central government’s goals. He urged the alumni to apply their expertise to ensure Hong Kong continues to serve as a critical node in the nation’s broader growth trajectory.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also addressed the gathering, echoing the call for increased contribution from the prestigious university’s graduates. Lee expressed his hope that more Tsinghua alumni would assist the city in its efforts to establish itself as an international education hub and in the promotion of high-quality national development.

Strategic Integration and National Goals

The appeals made by Zhou and Lee come amid a sustained effort by the Hong Kong government and Beijing to integrate the city more deeply into the mainland’s economic and political frameworks. This integration is central to the one country, two systems principle, with an increasing focus on the one country aspect to ensure the city’s development mirrors national priorities.

A key component of this strategy is the development of the Greater Bay Area, a massive economic zone that encompasses Hong Kong, Macau, and nine cities in Guangdong province. By leveraging the global networks of alumni from top-tier institutions like Tsinghua University, officials aim to attract more international talent and investment into the region.

the push for Hong Kong to become an international education hub is tied to the Study in Hong Kong initiative. This program seeks to enhance the city’s appeal to global students and academics, thereby strengthening its position as a center for knowledge exchange and innovation.

The Role of the Northern Metropolis

The government’s vision for national development also heavily involves the Northern Metropolis project. This ambitious urban development plan in the northern part of the New Territories is designed to transform the area into a hub for innovation and technology, creating a seamless link with the mainland’s tech centers in Shenzhen.

Officials view the intellectual capital of Tsinghua graduates—who are often trained in high-level science, engineering, and public policy—as an essential asset for the success of the Northern Metropolis. The project is intended to diversify Hong Kong’s economy beyond its traditional strengths in finance and logistics, shifting toward a more technology-driven model.

Global Connectivity and the Belt and Road Initiative

The mention of global networks by Zhou Ji highlights the importance of the One Belt, One Road initiative. Hong Kong is positioned as a primary gateway for this global infrastructure and investment project, facilitating trade and diplomatic ties between China and partners across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

By calling on alumni to use their international connections, the Liaison Office aims to enhance Hong Kong’s capacity to attract foreign capital and expertise that can be channeled into national development projects. This approach seeks to combine the city’s unique international legal and financial systems with the strategic direction set by Beijing.

The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government serves as the primary representative body of the central government in Hong Kong, coordinating policy and maintaining communication between the HKSAR government and the authorities in Beijing. The director’s focus on alumni associations underscores a broader strategy of engaging professional and academic elites to drive the city’s political and economic alignment with the mainland.