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Universities in Hong Kong
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Explain pro-Beijing university president’s new five-year term, Hong Kong students warn, or face ‘consequences’

Lingnan University student union decries lack of transparency and now demands open meeting with institution’s governing council

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Lingnan University president Leonard Cheng has had a fractious relationship with students since taking office in 2013. Photo: Nora Tam
Raymond Yeung

Student leaders at a Hong Kong liberal arts university are warning of “consequences” if the school does not properly explain the justification behind a pro-Beijing scholar’s reappointment as president for five more years.

The Lingnan University student union decried what it called a lack of transparency over the decision by the institution’s governing council to extend Professor Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon’s contract, which was to expire in August.

It said the students’ wishes to have him replaced had fallen on deaf ears. The union now demands an open meeting with the council.

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Cheng has close ties with former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying. Photo: May Tse
Cheng has close ties with former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying. Photo: May Tse

After nearly a month of speculation, the university confirmed on Monday that Cheng, 65, would get another term as president starting in September and running to 2023.

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An acclaimed economics professor who spent two decades at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Cheng has earned mixed reviews since taking office in 2013.

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