Lee Kai-fu, former president of Google China, visited South China University of Technology to speak to students on October 20.
Lee, who is extremely popular among mainland youth, drew a huge crowd but the event ended in disarray. Some students displayed bizarre behaviour during the question-and-answer session.
Lee shared the ups and downs of his life and gave insights on how to start an enterprise.
The lecture was wonderful and received enthusiastic applause. The university gymnasium was packed with students, and those who could not find a seat sat on the floor to listen to their idol.
Towards the end of the seminar, Lee took questions from the crowd and that was when the trouble began.
One student selected to ask Lee a question did not ask him anything but took out a book written by Lee and asked for his autograph. Although it was not an appropriate request, Lee kindly signed.
Then another student jumped onto the stage wanting to talk to Lee face to face.