(Yicai) June 20 -- The University of Hong Kong has overtaken Peking University, the previous top-ranked Chinese institution, in the QS World University Rankings’ global top 100, marking a significant milestone in the academic development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

HKU rose six places to claim 11th globally, becoming the highest-ranked university in China, while PKU maintained its 14th position, according to the 2026 list released yesterday by London-based education intelligence firm QS Quacquarelli Symonds. QS publishes one of the world’s most widely referenced university ranking systems.

In addition to HKU, four other universities from the Greater Bay Area made the global top 100. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) climbed four and three spots respectively, ranking 32nd and 44th. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) moved up three places to 54th, while the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) slipped one position to 63rd.

While the Greater Bay Area -- which includes Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen -- is making strides in academic reputation, most of China’s top universities remain concentrated in Beijing and Shanghai. Beijing's PKU was followed by Tsinghua University (17th), Fudan University (30th), and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (47th).

Several Guangdong-based universities also made the top 500. Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou ranked highest among them, jumping from 331st to 276th globally, and ranking 14th among mainland institutions. Shenzhen’s Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) followed at 343rd globally and 20th domestically. Other entrants included South China University of Technology in Guangzhou (377th) and Shenzhen University (452nd).

Despite being China’s largest provincial economy, Guangdong has long lagged in higher education resources. To address this imbalance, China’s 2019 Greater Bay Area development plan proposed turning the region into an international education demonstration zone. The plan supports the introduction of world-renowned universities, the creation of joint institutions, and academic partnerships among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

In line with the plan, Guangdong has accelerated cooperation with Hong Kong to establish joint universities. For example, HKUST partnered with Guangzhou University to open the HKUST Guangzhou campus in 2022. Likewise, Dongguan University of Technology and CityU launched their joint Dongguan campus last year, welcoming their first cohort of students.

An education expert in Hong Kong told Yicai that while local universities possess strong capabilities in talent development and research, they face constraints in local market size, employment opportunities, and commercialization of research. By contrast, Guangdong and the broader mainland offer a vast demand for high-tech talent, making the two regions highly complementary.

On June 11, China’s Ministry of Education approved the establishment of Great Bay University in Dongguan. With a focus on science and engineering, the next-generation research-oriented university will initially offer five undergraduate programs -- including mathematics, physics, and computer science. According to its website, it aims to accomodate 10,000 students by 2034.

Editor: Emmi Laine