The “Challenges and Opportunities in Public Governance Seminar”, jointly hosted by the Department of Social Science, the Centre for Public Policy Research, and the Graduate School of HSUHK on 18–19 November 2025, concluded successfully after two days of vibrant intellectual exchange. Bringing together over twenty distinguished scholars from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, the event provided a dynamic platform to examine pressing issues—from digital transformation and aging populations to post‑pandemic recovery—and to explore pathways toward more resilient and innovative governance.
The participant list featured renowned institutions such as Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, alongside leading universities from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, including The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, University of Macau, and National Taiwan University. The robust participation of Sun Yat-sen University, South China Normal University, South China Agricultural University, Southern Medical University, and Guangzhou University underscored the vital role of Greater Bay Area (GBA) collaboration in addressing shared challenges.
The seminar addressed the most critical issues of our time. Professor Yu Xunda from Zhejiang University opened with a profound analysis of the Chinese governance model. Professor Mok Ka Ho, Joshua, Vice-President (Academic and Research) of HSUHK, offered a comparative perspective on tackling societal aging in East Asia. Subsequent sessions, led by Professor He Jingwei from HKUST and Professor Yeh Kuang-shih from Chung Hua University, explored lessons from past health crises and the mechanics of successful public-private partnerships.
A highlight of the second day was the keynote by Professor Zhu Xufeng, Dean of the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, who challenged the audience to envision a new paradigm for public administration in the age of artificial intelligence.
A dedicated roundtable on “Greater Bay Area Development and its Governance Needs,” chaired by Professor Mok, generated significant insight. The three participants shared insightful viewpoints. Professor Cheung Bing-leung from EdUHK aruged that the Greater Bay Area should reinforce strategic and operational policy coordination. Professor Ng Tak-wing from University of Macau, discussed challenges emerged in the Heiqin district, jointly developed by Zhuhai and Macau, and stressed that removing barriers to talent mobility is essential for strengthening soft connectivity within the Greater Bay Area. Dr. Wu Junfei, leader of the Bauhinia Party, offered perspectives on Greater Bay Area development from the standpoint of the central government’s strategic objectives.
In the closing remarks, Professor Mok highlighted the seminar’s significance. “This gathering was more than an academic conference; it was a testament to the power of collective wisdom. By fostering dialogue between Hong Kong’s international outlook and the dynamic spirit of the Greater Bay Area, HSUHK is committed to contributing actionable solutions for the future of regional governance.”
The seminar has laid a solid foundation for future inter-institutional research and talent development initiatives, reinforcing the position of HSUHK as a proactive hub where governance theory meets practice.
