Public universities in Hong Kong are reporting a significant fivefold increase in admissions for non-local students holding DSE qualifications. This surge contrasts with a 5% decline among local DSE candidates, raising social concerns.

The number of non-local students admitted to Hong Kong’s public universities with Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) qualifications has risen fivefold in four years, according to the Education Bureau. By comparison, the number of local DSE candidates who qualified for those universities fell by 5 per cent over the same period, the bureau said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, universities admitted more students with non-DSE certificates who paid higher tuition fees, sparking concerns regarding social...