University of Hong Kong chief defends appointment of Beijing loyalist to governing body

The chief of the University of Hong Kong has welcomed the appointment of a Beijing loyalist to HKU's governing body - while recognising the latter's tendency to voice "strong opinions" - amid concerns about the tertiary institution's autonomy.

The naming of Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, an executive councillor, to HKU's council has been described as another challenge facing the university, fresh from suspicions last month that a Beijing mouthpiece was exerting political pressure over the appointment of a new pro-vice-chancellor.

While the university's student union had criticised Li over his high-handed manner, HKU vice-chancellor Professor Peter Mathieson argued otherwise yesterday.

"Professor Li is very well qualified to be a university council member," he said, citing the extensive experience of the former education minister and ex-Chinese University president in academia, medicine and politics.

Mathieson tried to allay worries among students that Li's presence on the body overseeing financial and human resources and future developments of the university would undermine its autonomy.

It was the collective responsibility of everyone in the university sector, including the council, to safeguard autonomy, which was an important challenge, he said. "I don't think that's a responsibility for any one particular member [on the council]."