Our survey of 220 mainland Chinese students in March this year revealed a notable paradox: while 57 per cent of them expressed a willingness to remain in Hong Kong after graduation, many of them remain socially disengaged from Hong Kong life. Their study experiences and perceptions of the city play a key role in both explaining and bridging this gap.
Study experience extends beyond the classroom to include immersion in the host society, such as understanding local culture, social practices and current developments.
Many students continue to rely on mainland‑oriented social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and WeChat. These differ from the platforms most Hong Kong residents use, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. This gap further limits genuine integration and weakens their connection to local society. Without deeper engagement, today’s willingness to stay may never become a lasting commitment.
To address these challenges, several measures should be considered. First, students should be encouraged to undertake in‑depth social exploration to better understand Hong Kong’s values, traditions and lifestyles. Incentives for participation in cultural activities, community events and volunteer programmes could be introduced, potentially even as part of study requirements.