The Hong Kong SAR government will launch three measures starting from November 1st to optimize the High end Talent Pass Scheme ("Gaocai Pass Scheme") and the Excellent Talent Entry Scheme ("Excellent Talent Scheme"). Specific measures include expanding the list of eligible universities for the "Gaocai Tong Plan", extending the first visa period for A-class applications under the "Gaocai Tong Plan" to three years, and optimizing the comprehensive scoring system evaluation criteria and arrangements for the "Excellent Talent Plan". Starting from November 1st, the list of eligible universities under the "Gaocai Tong Plan" has increased by 13, bringing the total number to 198. The new universities include 9 mainland universities, namely Sichuan University, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Southeast University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Tongji University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University and Tianjin University. Starting from October 16th, the first visa period for approved A-class applications under the "Gaocai Tong Plan" has been extended from two years to three years, in order to facilitate early planning and relocation with family to Hong Kong. The new measures also apply to about 21000 A-level talents who have been approved this year. They can apply for an extension of their stay to the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government within three months before their stay expires from November 1st, and will be granted an unconditional extension of their stay for one year. Starting from November 1st, the SAR government will also optimize the comprehensive scoring system of the "Talents Program", adopt more objective and clear scoring standards, and simplify the application and selection process. The optimized comprehensive scoring system replaces the original item by item scoring method with an evaluation questionnaire and does not have an annual quota. At present, the optimized comprehensive scoring system online application platform has been put into operation. Sun Yuhan, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, stated that the government actively seeks and retains talent, and optimization measures will help further attract the talent needed for Hong Kong's development, enrich the local talent pool, enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in attracting talent, and consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international talent hub. (New Society)