The number of mainland students applying for higher education in Hong Kong has dropped by 9,093, a 30 percent decline compared to figures published last year.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the last college to submit its list of applicants, announced that the number of its mainland applicants was 8,016 by June 24, a nearly one-third drop from last year's figure of 12,000 applicants. Thus HKU has become the college with the largest drop in Hong Kong.

A spokesperson for HKU said that the number of applicants for higher education had reached a record high last year, which might shed light on the reason why such a drop occurred.

Colleges in Hong Kong which independently recruit mainland students include the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, the Open University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

By People's Daily Online