Harvard's loss, China's gain: Top talents turn eastward

Editor's note: Min Rui, a special commentator on international affairs for CGTN, is a journalist based in Beijing. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

With the Donald Trump administration banning Harvard and other elite U.S. universities from enrolling international students and pushing current ones to transfer, the global landscape for top-tier talent is being redrawn.

This sudden wave of "academic refugees" has opened fresh opportunities for universities worldwide. Institutions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macao SAR moved quickly, openly welcoming affected students and offering comprehensive support packages: transfer assistance, visa help, academic continuity and housing. Their swift, structured response showcases their international readiness and strategic agility.

What's playing out in Hong Kong and Macao isn't just a recruitment race; it's a strategic move to influence the future talent map. Those who open doors, show flexibility and think globally will lead the next round of talent competition.

The growing appeal of studying in China

Hong Kong is the only city in Asia that boasts five QS Top 100 universities. Its strengths are clear: diverse academic offerings, English-medium instruction and flexible admissions – all ideal for hosting international transfer students.

At the same time, universities in the Chinese mainland are rapidly increasing their pull. More international students are choosing to study in China, not only due to fast advances in engineering, biochemistry and AI, but also because the "China experience" is fast becoming a resume booster in global job markets. Candidates who bring intercultural fluency, insight into China's business environment and multilingual capability are gaining a competitive edge.

Top academics returning to China

It's not just international students on the move. Public records show that since last year, there has been a noticeable trend of top-tier academics and scientists returning to China, most from the U.S., with a focus on mathematics and physics. Many of them are Chinese or of Chinese descent.

Why return? For one, China has introduced more competitive packages – better labs, higher pay and meaningful incentives. But more critically, Chinese scientists abroad face an increasingly suspicious research climate.

Over the past decade, U.S. authorities have repeatedly targeted Chinese scholars under the guise of so-called "national security concerns." In numerous cases, these scholars are neither convicted nor exonerated, yet their professional lives are irreparably damaged – a stark reminder that science cannot flourish under siege. For many, leaving is the only option to keep innovating.

As global uncertainty deepens, Chinese students abroad are also rethinking their paths. According to Zhilian Zhaopin's 2024 Report on Chinese Returnee Employment, the number of students returning to China for work surged by 19 percent last year, doubling the figure from 2018.

Ambitions take off in China

China's fast-growing economy, especially in emerging sectors like green energy, semiconductors and AI, is creating a rich landscape of opportunity. These industries aren't just expanding – they're offering ideal environments for ambitious global professionals to build meaningful careers.

In cities like Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, the integration of academia, research and industry is yielding impressive results. Students often see their lab-developed innovations attract multimillion-yuan investments before they even graduate. A full-chain system – "lab to incubator to tech park" – is empowering many to launch startups straight from campus. On this fertile ground, young talents turn ideas into both economic value and technological progress. Their creativity reflects the reality of a vigorous China brimming with opportunities for bold innovation.

The outflow of talent is undoubtedly a misfortune for the United States. When brilliant international minds are tossed onto the political poker table as bargaining chips, freedom gets trampled beneath America's feet.

It doesn't matter whether the Democrats or Republicans score more points in this game – America is still the loser. Meanwhile, China, calmly playing its own steady hand, simply picks up the winning cards that fall off the table, becoming, almost by default, the next gathering place for the world's top talent.

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