Prominent Hong Kong environmentalist remembers vision and magnanimity of late Charles Kao, father of fibre optics
Renowned professor, as vice chancellor of Chinese University, did not punish former student who staged protest, instead recognising freedom of speech
In 1993, Lo Sze-ping faced expulsion from the Chinese University of Hong Kong for orchestrating a protest at an open-day ceremony on campus. But the student, who would later become a prominent environmentalist, was spared thanks to the leniency of then vice chancellor Professor Charles Kao Kuen, who believed Lo should have the freedom to express his views.
Lo went on to be named a Young Global Leader in 2012 by the World Economic Forum, but till today, he has not forgotten the magnanimity and vision of the late Kao, who was renowned as the father of fibre optics.
In November 1993, Lo led a dozen students and stormed a ceremony to protest against university management hosting the open-day event, accusing it of using the occasion to glorify its accomplishments.
