New | Hong Kong university chiefs call for further talks between students and government

The heads of Hong Kong’s biggest universities have called for further talks between student leaders and the government, as pro-democracy street protests continue for a fourth straight week.

“I think both sides have expressed their sincerity,” said Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, vice chancellor of Chinese University, of yesterday’s meeting between representatives of the Hong Kong Federation of Students and the government.

“The students were very mature and well-prepared. But we won’t hope that the first dialogue can solve all the problems.”

Speaking at a forum today for presidents of 10 tertiary institutions in the city, Sung said he hoped there will be further rounds of talks between the two parties. He added that further class boycotts would not affect the university’s normal operation.

Students have been on strike since late September.

Peter Mathieson, vice chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, said both sides had been “very well-behaved” during the talks and had put forward “very sensible arguments”.

“I’m disappointed that there hasn’t been more resolution of the situation,” said Mathieson. “But I hope, as the dialogue has already started, it would be the beginning of the progress that everyone wants to see.”