Beijing on Monday hailed Hong Kong's strong appeal to international talent, and reaffirmed its continued support for the city in attracting talent from around the world.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin dismissed some comments made in the media that global talent is reluctant to work and live in Hong Kong, and that the city is seeing a "talent drain".

Such comments disregard facts, and are irresponsibly discrediting Hong Kong in terms of its freedom and human rights situation, and are misleading public opinion, Wang told a regular news briefing.

Hong Kong remains a hub of global talent, and its appeal to global talent is on the rise, he said.

Statistics from the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region show that the city recorded a net inflow of 174,000 residents from mid-2022 to mid-2023.

From January to November last year, the Hong Kong SAR government received more than 200,000 applications under its various talent admission programs.

Of these applications more than 120,000 were approved, and about 80,000 people have arrived in Hong Kong, far exceeding the city's annual target of admitting at least 35,000.

Noting that Hong Kong ranks second in Asia in the World Talent Ranking 2023 released by the International Institute for Management Development based in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wang said that Hong Kong continues to be a popular destination for talent from around the world.

Hong Kong has entered a new stage in which it has restored order and is set to thrive, Wang said, adding that its residents' lawful rights and freedoms are earnestly safeguarded, bringing "an unprecedented opportunity" for talent in China and abroad to start their business there.

"We believe that under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong's unique advantage of enjoying the backing of the motherland and opening to the world will be intensified ... its appeal to global talent will further increase," Wang said.

He also stated that the central government, which will continue to help Hong Kong develop new advantages, welcomes talent from all countries and all sectors to work and live in Hong Kong.