Universities must not become breeding grounds for violence

The Chinese University of Hong Kong campus sadly became a battleground between radical protesters and police officers this week, as did the surroundings of other universities. This is not surprising, given the youngsters have been at the front line of the ongoing clashes. But worryingly, some campuses were even occupied by radicals and became bases for making petrol bombs and combat training.

The severity of the matter was reflected in the strong criticisms by the police. Describing the Chinese University campus in Sha Tin as becoming an “arsenal”, the police warned that no places were exempted from the law and vowed to take action if needed.

Road blocks and clashes also happened near the University of Hong Kong, Baptist University, City University and Polytechnic University; the latter saw masked protesters fighting with bows and arrows when police officers fired tear gas outside the campus on Thursday. Videos showing youngsters making petrol bombs and practise throwing them inside the campus went viral on social media.

The situation risks running out of control. In an open letter on Friday, Chinese University vice-chancellor Rocky Tuan Sung-chi said the campus was occupied by masked protesters, many of whom were outsiders. The university said it would seek help from the relevant authorities if it could not carry out its mission and duties.

With classes suspended and students and teaching staff fleeing, some universities have practically stopped functioning. Polytechnic University urged those occupying the campus to stop all dangerous or illegal activities and leave.

Traditionally, universities have played an important role in social movements around the world. Some went beyond the cradle of knowledge to become the bastions for reforms, and even uprising in some cases.

In Hong Kong, universities have also nurtured generations of students who were enthusiastic about public affairs, as seen in the campaign to defend Chinese sovereignty over the disputed Diaoyu Islands in the 1970s and the pro-democracy Occupy movement in 2014.

How a Hong Kong university morphed into a base for protesters

But there is a clear difference between actively taking part in legitimate protests and using the campus for illegal activities. The latter is not only in breach of the law, it also calls into question the academic freedom and independence that make universities special in societies.

The withdrawal of mainland and overseas students from the campus has already tarnished the reputation of the Chinese University. The violence associated with the tertiary institutions over the past few months does nothing for the image of the city’s academia.

Universities are not just ivory towers for theories and research. But they must not become breeding grounds for violence and crime.