
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.
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.”
Regarding doubts over whether further conversations could achieve anything, as the government continues to repeat its longstanding position on the limits of democratisation, Mathieson said that “misunderstandings” between the two sides would need to be cleared up to end the current stand-off.
“I think repeating what’s been said before sometimes doesn’t help,” said Mathieson. ”I know the government has major constraints on what it can and can’t do, so both parties need to understand what’s possible and what’s realistic, rather than necessarily what would be ideal.”
But he also said that students should not stop being idealistic because “that is one of the best things about being young”.
Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon, president of Lingnan University and the moderator of yesterday’s talks, said further dialogue would increase the chances of a resolution.
Some people have accused Cheng of displaying bias during the talks, asking the students questions that could be construed as being in favour of the government.
Cheng said he had no “malicious intention” and was asking the questions so that students could explain their demands.
The president of the University of Science and Technology, Tony Chan Fan-cheong, also expressed hope that more talks would follow.

