In the wake of campus clashes, at least four Hong Kong universities restrict public access to open spaces … but should they?
- PolyU, HKU, Baptist and Lingnan close off areas previously open to public
- Critics say institutions should not isolate themselves, but supporters back move, citing how vandalism and violence have broken out on campuses
Four Hong Kong universities have decided, in the wake of anti-government protests, to restrict access to campuses, including open spaces which members of the public were previously allowed to use.
In the 2000s, Polytechnic University (PolyU), the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Baptist University and Lingnan University had all promised to keep some areas open to public access when they asked the government for more land.
But checks by the Post showed they had recently blocked public access to such areas.
With the new term starting this month, all eight publicly-funded universities tightened security, with checks for visitors and students, as well as limited vehicle access. Some also installed card-reading machines at entrances.
This came after radical protesters entered several campuses last November, vandalised buildings and blocked nearby roads. The worst affected was PolyU, which was occupied by radical protesters for almost two weeks.
The new campus security measures have sparked debate on whether universities should remain open to the public.