No place for disruptive political protests at Chinese University, new president says

Rocky Tuan opens lines of communications with student leaders but emphasises political boundaries that must not be crossed

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Tuan believes the innovation and technology sector in Hong Kong, home to some seven million people, must look beyond its borders and view the world as its market. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 9:33am, 6 Apr 2018Updated: 2:17pm, 6 Apr 2018

The president of the second oldest university in Hong Kong has once again stressed that the campus is a place for academia and knowledge, not one for political wrestling.

In a wide-ranging interview, the first since his new appointment, Dr Rocky Tuan Sung-chi, Chinese University’s vice chancellor and president, said that while freedom of expression is a cornerstone for the institution, there is a bottom line for all students and staff taking part in politics.

“We have to do it in a peaceful, rational, and mutually respectful [manner],” he said.

Chinese University Vice Chancellor Professor Rocky Tuan doesn’t believe the university is a place for ‘political wrestling’. Photo: David Wong

We have to do it in a peaceful, rational, and mutually respectful [manner]

Dr Rocky Tuan Sung-chi

In September, Chinese University was the main battleground of a renewed independence movement in the city, after banners and posters supporting the idea of Hong Kong breaking away from China appeared on campus.

The identity of those responsible for posting the materials was unclear, but the university’s student union vowed to keep them up to protect free speech.

Several weeks later, former president Joseph Sung Jao-yiu led nine other tertiary institutions to release a joint statement saying they did not support Hong Kong independence, and condemning abuses of freedom of expression.

In January, a student society for discussing the city’s breakaway from China was set up and is on a trial period.