Held at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) from 15 to 17 April 2026, the 2025-2026 Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance Annual Council Meeting and Presidents’ Forum themed “Digital Empowerment · Collaborative Innovation: A New Pathway Jointly Formed by Beijing and Hong Kong Higher Education Institutions” was hosted by HKBU. Attendees included Chen Dali, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Affairs (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China; Dr. Shun Chun Fai, Deputy Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government; Wei Xubin, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, together with presidents, senior management and representatives from 23 universities across Beijing and Hong Kong.

As a key member of the Alliance, HKBU has long been committed to fostering educational exchanges and cooperation between the two regions and across the globe, and plays an active role in advancing educational innovation, research collaboration and talent development.

Delivering speeches respectively, Chen Dali, Dr. Shun Chun Fai and Wei Xubin commended the fruitful achievements of the Alliance. They also put forward expectations for collaborative innovation in key fields, university development and alignment with national strategies.

Professor Alexander Wai, President of HKBU, addressed the opening ceremony. He stated that member institutions of the Alliance will further strengthen joint talent cultivation, collaborative research and cultural exchange, and work together to support the National 15th Five-Year Plan and national development initiatives.

A solemn handover ceremony for the Rotating Chair Institution of the Alliance Council was held afterwards. Professor Bai Benfeng, Vice President of Tsinghua University— together with Professor Alexander Wai — the 3rd Rotating Chair Institution, presented the Alliance plaque to Professor Wang Ming from Beijing Normal University and Professor Yao Xin, Vice President of Lingnan University, who represent the 4th Rotating Chair Institution. A group photo was taken to mark the occasion. The handover signifies the passing of responsibilities, as well as the expectations and trust placed by the outgoing leadership in the new team.

Centred on the forum theme, participants conducted in-depth discussions on the digital transformation of higher education and regional collaborative innovation in the new era, exploring new directions for the integrated development of higher education in Beijing and Hong Kong. Representatives from participating universities shared experience and achievements based on institutional practices. The open exchanges and mutual learning offered valuable insights for the innovative development of higher education in the region. Following the meeting, delegates visited the HKBU campus and the Legislative Council Complex of Hong Kong.

The event has built a solid platform for closer collaboration between higher education institutions in Beijing and Hong Kong and further promoted integrated development of education in the two places. All parties look forward to the Alliance continuing to leverage its strengths and making greater contributions to building a country strong in education.