Civic Party legislator Kenneth Chan would rather see the HK$1 billion spent solely on local university students. File photo: RTHK
Pan-democratic legislators expressed strong opposition on Monday to the government’s plan to set up a HK$1billion fund to finance scholarships for foreign students from China's trading partners.
The scheme, under Beijing’s “Belt And Road” initiative, was announced in the Chief Executive 's policy address in January.
At the time, CY Leung said it was aimed at attracting students from the “Belt and Road” countries to study in Hong Kong. Officials later said local students could also make use of the fund to further their studies in the partner nations.
But at a Legislative Council education panel meeting, members from the pan-democratic camp criticised the proposal as being politically driven.
Kenneth Chan, from the Civic Party, said it was obvious that Leung wanted the scholarship scheme to be seen as one of his achievements in Beijing’s eyes, to help his re-election chances.
Chan said the money would be better spent on subsidising university education for local students in Hong Kong.
The scheme is yet to secure funding approval from the Legislative Council.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1266067-20160613.htm
