The Education University of Hong Kong Study traces 20-year evolution of Hong Kong–mainland Sister School Scheme

The Sister School Scheme, launched in 2004, refers to a set of policies that promote inter-school collaboration between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland schools. The Scheme was designed to foster cross-border collaborative learning activities, promote wider educational change, and cultivate a stronger sense of national identity. Considering the number of sister-school partnerships established, it can be regarded as a success.

A study published online on May 25, 2025, in ECNU Review of Education offered a systematic analysis of the 20-year development of the Sister School Scheme between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland schools. Using an intertextuality framework, the research traced how the Scheme’s policy narratives and priorities have shifted over time and highlighted its growing role in fostering cross-border educational cooperation.

By reviewing and analyzing two decades of official policy documents and politicians’ speeches from media sources or public events, the study found the centrality of national policy in the process of school collaboration between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland and how the national and provincial governments played a role in providing political direction.

The Scheme has also been influenced by major social events that occurred at critical historical junctures, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Belt and Road Initiative.

“In addition to the government-related influences, the Scheme has undergone significant changes since its establishment in 2004, reflecting the dynamic relationship between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong,” explain Qian et al.

The study found the “steering role” of the Central Government in the development of the Scheme. The Hong Kong SAR Government, on the other hand, has been a collaborating partner, responding to policy changes and expanding the scope of the Scheme. Such a relationship shows the workings of multilevel governance in education in the Greater Bay Area.

The study offers insights for policymakers and school leaders seeking to enhance cross-system cooperation. As the Sister School Scheme approaches its third decade, “The evolving geopolitical landscape, coupled with the inherent challenges and opportunities of cross-border educational collaboration, suggests a future where the Scheme could play an even more critical role,” Qian et al. notes.

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Reference
DOI: 10.1177/20965311251331641

Funding information
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.