How a compulsory Mandarin course caused chaos at Hong Kong Baptist University
A Mandarin proficiency requirement for graduation sparked an eight-hour stand-off between staff and students last week, unleashing a chain of events from death threats to the suspension of two students
An eight-hour stand-off between students at Hong Kong Baptist University and staff at the school’s Language Centre last week unleashed a chain of events that peaked with death threats against one of the youngsters, and the suspension of two students.
Expletive-laden posters insulting Baptist University head Roland Chin put up at Hong Kong campuses
About 30 youngsters headed to the centre after many students failed a Mandarin proficiency test that would allow them to bypass a compulsory course.
Video footage circulated online showed student union president Lau Tsz-kei using foul language and others confronting staff aggressively.
On Wednesday, university president Roland Chin Tai-hong tearfully announced that Lau and Chan would be temporarily suspended from their studies, as their behaviour was against the school’s code of conduct for students.
“Initial investigations found the students’ conduct on the day resulted in our teachers feeling threatened and insulted, affecting their work,” Chin said.