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Kristin Huang

When computer science professor Xu Jiang presented a Chinese national flag to one of his students at a graduation ceremony last week, his message was clear.
“I hope that my student understood that he is Chinese first, and that I wanted him to be a responsible and disciplined person – a person who has no need to hide his Chinese identity no matter where he goes,” the 44-year-old mainland-born academic from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said.
Xu said he understood the risks of such a pro-China gesture, especially so soon after student Chow Tsz-lok fell in a car park in Tseung Kwan O near an area of confrontation between protesters and police on November 4.
The 22-year-old died four days later without waking from a coma.




The confrontation was just one in months of protests triggered by a now withdrawn Hong Kong extradition bill.
Xu said he thought about the potential backlash of his act but people all over the world showed their national flags at graduations.
“When I was in the United States, I saw so many graduates from different countries showing their national flags at ceremonies. It is an accepted way to show gratitude and respect for one’s homeland,” said Xu, who received his doctoral degree at Princeton University in 2007 and then went to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong protests: police treat death of 70-year-old cleaner as murder, saying he was struck by brick thrown with malice
A friend posted video of Xu’s show of patriotism to Weibo, China’s Twitter-like service, on November 8 and in a week it attracted more than 18,000 “likes”.
But at the graduation ceremony his gesture was greeted by boos, prompting Xu to feel that a once diverse and tolerant city had become hostile and xenophobic.
“Although it’s not my first time feeling that Hong Kong is sick, but that feeling is strongest now,” he said, adding that the 2014 Occupy Central civil disobedience campaign was a sign that something had gone wrong.

But Xu said radical protesters should not take all of the blame for the deteriorating situation in the city.
“On the contrary, it’s the government policymakers, all the people who are related to the city’s future development, and especially the teachers in all educational institutions, including me, who should take blame,” he said.
“We failed to grasp the helplessness of the students, who wanted to achieve something but failed and became radicalised.”
As Hong Kong’s protests rage on, Xi Jinping’s meeting with Carrie Lam and China’s fourth plenum promise more interference
Xu said there was no time to waste to build a better future.
“I don’t think the young protesters have no hope. Instead, I sense the unity among them. If they can be united to do something bad, then they can be united to do something good, too,” he said.

Xu said he chose to teach in Hong Kong because he wanted to nurture industrial and academic talent for the city, for China, and for neighbouring countries.
The day Chow died, Xu’s office at the university was vandalised. Both events made his heart sink.
“I am so sad, not only because I am a Chinese, but also because after 12 years I am a Hong Kong permanent resident,” he said.


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Hong Kong protests

The professor, the Chinese flag and a plea for the future of Hong Kong

People lay flowers at the car park in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, where protester Chow Tsz-lok was fatally injured. Photo: Felix Wong

Anti-government posters at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Clear Water Bay. 09NOV19 SCMP / Felix Wong

***ONE TIME USE ONLY, PLEASE CLEAR THE COPYRIGHTS BEFORE RE-USE - OTUO*** Xu Jiang, a mainland professor at the university's department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, had his office smashed by violent protesters on Friday. Photo: Handout

China demands British authorities investigate after Hong Kong minister falls in confrontation with London protesters

Teresa Cheng was surrounded my protesters on a visit to London. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng falls after protesters surrounded her in London, Britain November 14, 2019, in this still image from video obtained via social media. Chloe Leung via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

Hong Kong protests: civil servants told they will be suspended immediately if they are arrested while taking part in unlawful public activities

Secretary for the Civil Service Joshua Law. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong protests: lunchtime demonstrations extend across city with hundreds of people blocking roads

Crowds gather on Pedder Street in Central at Friday lunchtime. Photo: Chris Lau

Anti-government protesters hold a lunchtime rally for a second day in Central. 12NOV19 SCMP / May Tse. 15NOV19 SCMP/ David Wong

Hong Kong fans observe minute’s silence in memory of Chow Tsz-lok, applaud Bahrain national anthem and boo China anthem

Hong Kong fans show their feelings at the World Cup qualifier at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: May Tse

Fans from Hong Kong watch a game against Bahrain in 2022 Soccer World Cup Qualifiers Asian Zone at So Kong Po. 14NOV19 SCMP / May Tse

Hong Kong protests: police officer reprimanded after he was filmed saying he would celebrate student Chow Tsz-lok’s death ‘with champagne’

Riot police officers gathered on a bridge in Tuen Mun were filmed taunting protesters below, with one saying they would celebrate the death of a student. Photo: Cable TV

Well-wishers at the carpark in Tseung Kwan O where Chow Tsz-lok fell. Chow Tsz-lok was a student from HKUST who passed away yesterday morning, he suffered severe brain injury after car park fall. 09NOV19 SCMP / Edmond So

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Xu Jiang says he knew patriotic display at HKUST could have repercussions
Hong Kong’s policymakers, planners and teachers must take blame for failing the city’s young, he says



Xu Jiang says he knew his patriotic display at graduation ceremony could have repercussions.


The professor, the Chinese flag and a plea for the future of Hong Kong

Xu Jiang says he knew patriotic display at HKUST could have repercussions Hong Kong’s policymakers, planners and teachers must take blame for failing the city’s young, he says

Xu Jiang says he knew patriotic display at HKUST could have repercussions

Hong Kong’s policymakers, planners and teachers must take blame for failing the city’s young, he says