DAB urges new talent visa for strategic industries
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) on Monday unveiled a talent policy proposal centred on reshaping the Top Talent Pass Scheme and sharpening Hong Kong’s positioning in regional competition for skilled workers. The party proposed reducing quotas under Category C and adding a new Category D visa aimed at professionals in what it called “new quality productive forces”. DAB figures also urged the government to market Hong Kong more aggressively through national and international platforms, while linking the city’s talent strategy to the Greater Bay Area and the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Separately, the party called for more national-level research facilities in Hong Kong and a higher intake of non-local students in self-financed and postgraduate programmes
Key Points
- DAB vice-chairperson and Talent Hub convener Brave Chan Yung said Hong Kong should build a talent brand tied to the Greater Bay Area and new quality productive forces
- Chan said other places cultivate distinct talent identities, citing Silicon Valley for information technology and France for arts and architecture
- Standing committee member Frankie Ngan Man-yu proposed cutting Category C quotas and creating Category D for skilled professionals in strategic emerging industries
- Ngan said new visa holders should face mandatory renewal conditions, including working in relevant sectors and helping technology transfer to strengthen local competitiveness
- Lawmakers Cheung Pui-kong and Roy Chu Lap-wai separately urged more national laboratories in Hetao and San Tin, plus higher non-local student quotas
Why It Matters
The proposals point to a shift from simply increasing headcount under talent schemes toward targeting workers seen as directly useful to Hong Kong’s industrial and innovation agenda. If adopted, the changes could affect how the city balances graduate inflows, research capacity and integration with Greater Bay Area development priorities