MUSIC students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong flocked to see what many described as their ''god'' yesterday.
But acclaimed cellist Yo Yo Ma, who was at the campus to receive an honorary doctorate degree, told a crammed auditorium: ''I consider myself a man.'' The purpose of the declaration was aimed at more than calming the music majors vying for autographs and snapshots.
The Paris-born, New York-based musician was answering questions from students at an informal forum before the degree presentation.
''Do you consider yourself Chinese, French or American?'' was one question.
Ma, 37, replied: ''It's difficult to pinpoint any one loyalty - all my experiences add up to one complete entity. I consider myself a man.'' ''One man?'' asked one student. ''On stage you play serious music and have serious performances, but you don't seem like that in real life.'' Indeed Ma resembled a mad professor more than one of the world's most celebrated musicians, wearing a T-shirt given by the students over his shirt and tie.
Ma's honorary degree was presented in a ceremony which also celebrated the university's 30th anniversary.
