Explainer | What is the bill calling for changes to Chinese University’s governing council and why is it so controversial?

Three lawmakers have proposed reforming the council to allow external appointees to dominate it

Opponents say Legco’s bills committee should wait until after the council has discussed the bill before moving it forward

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A petition calling for the Legislative Council to reject the proposal has garnered almost 1,600 signatures. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 11:00am, 31 Jul 2023Updated: 2:53pm, 31 Jul 2023

Chinese University of Hong Kong’s governing council is expected to convene on Tuesday to discuss a private members’ bill from three lawmakers that would allow external appointees to dominate the organisation.

A petition calling for the Legislative Council to reject the proposal garnered almost 1,600 signatures, as former leader Leung Chun-ying championed the bill and called for a special investigation into the leadership of vice-chancellor Professor Rocky Tuan Sung-chi on Sunday.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2023 received its first reading in Legco in June and has been put before a bills committee for scrutiny, despite critics arguing the policy could hurt academic freedoms.

Here, the Post breaks down the scope of the bill, the reasons it was proposed and why it has become so controversial.

Chinese University vice-chancellor Rocky Tuan has come under attack for his leadership style. Photo: Jonathan Wong

1. What are the key features of the bill?

The bill was jointly introduced by legislators Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, Bill Tang Ka-piu and Edward Lau Kwok-fan, who all sit on the university council as external appointees.

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