Former student leaders launch attack on University of Hong Kong chiefs, accuse them of being in grip of Communist Party and call for US action

Activists based outside Hong Kong release report a day after HKU cut ties with student union over controversial motion on stabbing of police officer

Earlier, Executive Council member Ronny Tong Ka-wah warns those who approved resolution could face legal action for spreading terrorism

Reading Time:3 minutes

The University of Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP

Published: 12:57pm, 14 Jul 2021Updated: 12:05pm, 15 Jul 2021

Five former student leaders led an attack on University of Hong Kong chiefs on Wednesday, accusing them of being “clearly in the grip” of the Communist Party and urging Washington to consider taking action to protect Western interests.

The release of their six-page report, co-written by activists based overseas or in Taiwan, came a day after HKU severed ties with its controversial student union and vowed to investigate members who approved a resolution “appreciating the sacrifice” of a man who stabbed a police officer before killing himself.

Earlier on Wednesday, Executive Council member Ronny Tong Ka-wah said those who approved the motion could face legal action for spreading terrorism. He said he believed the Department of Justice was already weighing whether it should initiate legal proceedings.

But at a Legislative Council meeting, education minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung and security secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung declined to comment further on the HKU controversy.

Exco member Ronny Tong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Tang said only that police would investigate any allegation about illegal acts, such as those under the national security law or the Crimes Ordinance section dealing with sedition. Authorities would make arrests and initiate prosecutions if there was enough evidence, he added.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x