The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has surpassed Peking University (PKU) in the latest QS World University Rankings, becoming the highest-ranked Chinese institution and marking a significant achievement for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's academic development.
In the 2026 rankings released by London-based QS Quacquarelli Symonds, HKU climbed six spots to 11th place globally, while PKU held steady at 14th. QS is known for producing one of the most widely cited global university ranking systems.
Four other Greater Bay Area universities joined HKU in the global top 100:
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rose to 32nd
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) moved up to 44th
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) reached 54th
- The City University of Hong Kong (CityU) ranked 63rd, dropping one position
Despite this regional progress, China's top universities remain largely concentrated in Beijing and Shanghai. PKU was followed by Tsinghua University (17th), Fudan University (30th), and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (47th).
Among Guangdong-based institutions, Sun Yat-sen University led the way, jumping from 331st to 276th globally and ranking 14th among mainland universities. Other entrants included:
- Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 343rd globally
- South China University of Technology, 377th
- Shenzhen University, 452nd
Although Guangdong is China's largest provincial economy, it has historically lagged in higher education. To address this, China's 2019 Greater Bay Area development plan aims to transform the region into an international education hub by encouraging the establishment of world-class universities, joint campuses, and cross-border academic collaborations.
As part of this effort, several joint institutions have emerged. In 2022, HKUST opened a Guangzhou campus in partnership with Guangzhou University. Last year, CityU and Dongguan University of Technology launched a joint campus in Dongguan, which welcomed its first students.
A Hong Kong-based education expert noted that while local universities excel in research and talent development, they face challenges in market size and commercialization. In contrast, Guangdong offers a vast pool of high-tech talent needs, making cross-border cooperation mutually beneficial.
