HKU students plan sit-in to demand answers on political interference

The University of Hong Kong’s student union will hold a sit-in on campus tomorrow to demand HKU’s governing body explain if it has come under political pressure over the appointment of a pro-vice-chancellor.

The planned action will take place when university council members meet tomorrow to discuss various issues, possibly including the selection of a new pro-vice-chancellor.

The government stands accused of trying to block former HKU law dean Johannes Chan Man-mun – a target of the Beijing-loyalist press – from taking the position. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s top adviser, Sophia Kao Ching-chi, admitted discussing with unidentified people whether Chan was fit for the position.

Newly elected HKU student union leader Billy Fung Jing-en said today he would demand that the council publicise documents relating to the selection process and that council members make clear if they had been pressured by the government.

“It can be a joint declaration signed by council members who think that they have not been pressured,” Fung told Commercial Radio.

“For those who don’t sign it, I think people will get what that means.”