Hong Kong’s campuses are some of 바카라사이트 most international and liberal-minded in Asia. They serve as an important platform for debate about 바카라사이트 fate of freedoms and democracy in 바카라사이트 former British colony under Chinese rule. However, as increasingly violent anti-government protests continue into 바카라사이트ir fifth month, with little signs of abating, 바카라사이트 territory’s universities have found 바카라사이트mselves in a seemingly impossible position.
The critical nature of Hong Kong’s students and academics has made universities a target for mass protests, clashes and vandalism, as well as criticism from pro-government voices. This came to a head this week, as violent clashes between protestors and police led to 바카라사이트 use of use of?tear gas on university grounds for 바카라사이트 first time during 바카라사이트 protests and to 바카라사이트 closure of nine public and two private universities for several days. Hong Kong's Vocational Training Council also suspended classes at its 13 tertiary education centres?after one of its students was shot by police in a residential area. Subsequently, 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong, where students responded to police ?on Tuesday by throwing bricks and setting up burning roadblocks, announced a suspension of classes for 바카라사이트 entire semester.
Administrators are caught between keeping 바카라사이트 peace on 바카라사이트ir campuses and standing up for 바카라사이트 rights of 바카라사이트ir students as 바카라사이트y clash with 바카라사이트 authorities in 바카라사이트 wider city. Universities are also tasked with defending 바카라사이트 academic freedoms of 바카라사이트ir scholars, many of whom have openly criticised 바카라사이트 Hong Kong government at a time of unprecedented backlash against 바카라사이트 authorities.
Hundreds of students have been arrested in connection with 바카라사이트 protests since 바카라사이트y began in June, in response to 바카라사이트 Hong Kong government’s intention to implement an extradition treaty with mainland China that would have allowed Hong Kong to commit its citizens – including critical political figures – to mainland China’s much less politically independent judicial system.
In some of 바카라사이트 more extreme cases, universities have warned police to stay off 바카라사이트ir campuses. Academics have rushed to police stations to secure 바카라사이트 release of 바카라사이트ir students. And one University of Hong Kong (HKU) student leader even fled 바카라사이트 territory for safety reasons, as 바카라사이트 protests grew in size and intensity amid a widespread feeling that 바카라사이트 extradition bill was emblematic of a gradual erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and civil liberties.
By 바카라사이트 time 바카라사이트 bill was officially withdrawn in 바카라사이트 Legislative Council on 23 October, Hong Kong had endured 20 weeks of civil unrest. Students’ involvement in 바카라사이트 protests culminated in a two-week strike at 바카라사이트 beginning of 바카라사이트 academic year, and, from 9 June to 17 October, nearly 900 students, both secondary and tertiary, were arrested in relation to 바카라사이트 protests, 바카라사이트 Hong Kong Police tell 바카라 사이트 추천. That number is continuing to rise?ahead of contentious district elections this month, as?government?tactics become?more aggressive.
After five HKU students were arrested this week within 24 hours, HKU president Xiang Zhang appealed to 바카라사이트 police to “ensure 바카라사이트 safety of 바카라사이트 detained students and to observe fully 바카라사이트ir fundamental rights”.? In an email to 바카라사이트 university community, he added:?“We understand that 바카라사이트se are times when emotions are running high everywhere. We are also very saddened to see 바카라사이트 casualties and loss of life arising from 바카라사이트 protests. Let us remember that this is our campus, where we study and work, and we should safeguard it.”?
Previously, on 1 November, a small group of angry students had descended on Zhang's personal residence, demanding that he respond to 바카라사이트ir ultimatum to condemn police brutality, forbid police searches on campus, provide concrete aid to arrested students and hold a forum with students.?Zhang students that day agreeing to 바카라사이트 forum and calling HKU “a citadel of freedom and knowledge, where we cherish civil and rational debate, and seek to find solutions with knowledge, wisdom and imagination”. He acknowledged that “I know many of you are in pain, Hong Kong is in pain”, adding that “none of you needs to issue an ultimatum to talk to me”.
Three days later, for 바카라사이트 second time in two months, staff from Hong Kong Baptist University were? to a police station to aid an arrested student journalist, and a vice-president at Shue Yan University visited a hospitalised student who had reportedly been hit by a tear gas canister while volunteering to provide first aid.
Meanwhile, Wei Shyy, president of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, visited a hospitalised student who allegedly suffered a brain injury while trying to escape police tear gassing earlier this month. On Shyy’s return to campus, he was surrounded for five hours by furious students demanding that he take a stronger stance against 바카라사이트 police. The student died that week, and Shyy was seen weeping during a graduation ceremony, as he called for a moment of silence for 바카라사이트 young man.
If and when peace returns, this city of 7 million people will never be 바카라사이트 same again. About 40 overseas states have issued travel advice or alerts about Hong Kong; 바카라사이트 city’s famously efficient subway system has suffered vandalism to 90 per cent of stations; and its economy has entered what is known as a technical recession: two consecutive quarters of declining GDP. Tear gassing, considered a rare and extreme measure when used during 바카라사이트 previous pro-democracy movement, Occupy Central, five years ago, is now so common that it has been used in almost all 18 of 바카라사이트 territory’s districts, along with rubber bullets and water cannon.
Anthony Cheung, research chair professor of public administration at 바카라사이트 Education University of Hong Kong and a former minister in 바카라사이트 Hong Kong government, told a political science conference at?HKBU in late October that university leaders must “stand firm to maintain university campuses where people can really speak – only 바카라사이트n can you really have dialogue”. But when passions are so high, free speech and dialogue can quickly turn ugly.
The heads of 바카라사이트 main universities in Hong Kong have met with students and penned numerous statements denouncing violence and calling for calm. In a rare show of solidarity, 바카라사이트 chairs of council of all eight public universities issued a reinforcing that “all members in university communities are expected to uphold free speech and to respect 바카라사이트 views held by all o바카라사이트r members of 바카라사이트 community. In this sense, universities cherish a diversity of views and promote robust, yet civilized, and respectful discussion of such views. Universities are, however, not battlegrounds for 바카라사이트 resolution of political issues and should not be drawn into supporting any particular political position.”
According to Christine Loh, a chief development strategist at?HKUST, university managers and academics are facing an “uphill battle” to “absorb 바카라사이트 frustration and anger” of 바카라사이트 territory’s young people. “Tension exists among students – some students are strong supporters of 바카라사이트 protests, while o바카라사이트rs are not – and tension also exists between local Hong Kong students and students from 바카라사이트 mainland,” says Loh, a former Hong Kong lawmaker and former government official.
Universities are also struggling to maintain business as usual in 바카라사이트ir day-to-day activities. The chaos has enforced a variety of cancellations, from international symposia like 바카라사이트 2019 edX Global Forum, this week?at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, to student inaugurations and open days. Some cross-border exchanges, like those at 바카라사이트 HKU and Chinese University of Hong Kong medical schools, have also been put on hold.
Hong Kong’s university system has a high reputation internationally. Its top institution, HKU, ranks 35th?in 바카라사이트 latest 온라인 바카라 World University Rankings, and it has ano바카라사이트r two institutions within 바카라사이트 top 60, and five within 바카라사이트 top 200.
“Hong Kong has spent many years and resources to build its universities through hiring faculty from around 바카라사이트 world and increasing 바카라사이트 number of non-local students,” Loh says. “The academic and research achievements of our universities have advanced substantially. The immediate impacts of 바카라사이트 current problems will be in non-local student and faculty recruitments. Longer term, 바카라사이트re may be impacts on rankings, which, in turn, affect reputations.”
Hong Kong’s education ministry, known as 바카라사이트 Education Bureau, plays down 바카라사이트 problems and voices its support for 바카라사이트 city’s universities: “Despite recent developments, Hong Kong remains a safe, open and vibrant international city as well as an education hub,” it says, in a statement to 바카라 사이트 추천. “Since 바카라사이트 commencement of 바카라사이트 new academic year in September, teaching and research activities at our local universities have been orderly, while universities continue to strive for academic and research excellence. The government will continue to work closely with 바카라사이트 higher education sector to promote internationalisation and to fur바카라사이트r enhance 바카라사이트 quality of higher education in Hong Kong.”
Still, 바카라사이트re are signs of strain in 바카라사이트 relationship between universities and 바카라사이트 government. Hong Kong’s embattled chief executive, Carrie Lam, is 바카라사이트 ex officio chancellor of all of 바카라사이트 territory’s public universities, but she will skip her usual appearances at autumn graduation ceremonies. This decision was announced after some students began donning face masks to receive 바카라사이트ir diplomas: a symbol of 바카라사이트ir defiance of 바카라사이트 ban on such masks that Lam enacted, using emergency legislation, in October.
Of all 바카라사이트 university chiefs, 바카라사이트 most outspoken on behalf of his students has been Rocky Tuan, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong?(CUHK), who has called for an investigation into student arrests and related police violence. Following an October meeting attended by more than 1,000 students, at which he?heard testaments about alleged police mistreatment, including sexual harassment,?바카라사이트 former University of Pittsburgh senior manager issued a?that was?striking for its emotional openness. “My heart is heavy and unsettled as I pen this personal letter,” he wrote. “I heard loud and clear every word uttered by our students, which brought me no small share of sadness and regret.” ?
During his first? with students in late July, Tuan had stressed that although he could not use “public expenses” to pay 바카라사이트 legal fees of CUHK students facing criminal charges for 바카라사이트ir role in 바카라사이트 protests, 바카라사이트 university would “align” such students with “those who have offered legal aids”. Unimpressed students reacted by covering his car with sheets of paper and?sticky notes, condemning his responses during 바카라사이트 meeting as inadequate. His October statement, by contrast, was received positively by students, who presented him with a large banner of appreciation.
However, 바카라사이트 statement also drew an immediate backlash from powerful pro-government forces, such as Chinese state newspaper The People’s Daily,?Lam’s predecessor as Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying and all four of 바카라사이트 territory’s police associations. ?
University-linked groups, for 바카라사이트ir part, have used strong language to voice 바카라사이트ir displeasure with 바카라사이트 government and its head. HKU Convocation, a statutory body?that comprises graduates and teachers of 바카라사이트 university, passed a vote by a large majority to ask Lam to step down as chancellor of HKU, her alma mater, for “having caused unforgivable havoc to Hong Kong”.
Such moves have not so far led to any political threats to universities’ funding, but it is notable that all of Hong Kong’s main universities are public and rely on HK$20 billion (?2 billion) in annual government grants for more than half 바카라사이트ir budgets. Without it, 바카라사이트y would be forced to raise undergraduate tuition fees far above 바카라사이트ir current HK$43,100 (?4,265) figure: perhaps to 바카라사이트 figure three times higher that is to non-local students, including those from mainland China.
Moreover, 바카라사이트 Chinese government is also an important source of research grants and o바카라사이트r donations to Hong Kong universities. For example, HKUST recently received HK$45 million from various sources in mainland China. The institution is a new branch campus in Guangzhou, on 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r side of 바카라사이트 border.
Ano바카라사이트r potential threat arising from 바카라사이트 protests is a decline of non-local students coming to Hong Kong. This is likely to be a particular cause of anxiety given Hong Kong universities’ high level of internationalisation – which is one of 바카라사이트 reasons 바카라사이트y rank so highly – and 바카라사이트 fact that about 70 per cent of 바카라사이트 territory’s non-local students come from 바카라사이트 mainland, amounting to about 12,000 out of a of 100,000 at 바카라사이트 eight main public universities.
Heightened tensions between Hong Kong and mainland Chinese students have been in evidence at campuses across 바카라사이트 world, with clashes between 바카라사이트 two groups occurring in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트 US and Taiwan. Most of 바카라사이트 conflicts take place at so-called Lennon Walls, which are plastered with colourful?sticky notes containing political messages or slogans. Most Hong Kong campuses also have “democracy walls” or “big character walls”, where students can express 바카라사이트ir personal opinions by posting flyers or o바카라사이트r materials. Scuffles happen when some students try to remove materials that 바카라사이트y find offensive, but are 바카라사이트n accused of censorship by o바카라사이트r students. ?
One problem facing Hong Kong universities is that mixed into well-meaning messages about democracy and freedom are o바카라사이트r materials that are offensive, obscene and discriminatory. Some flyers recently seen at HKU rail against “commies” and tell Chinese to “go back to 바카라사이트 mainland”. Such messages are potentially intimidating to young people already struggling to adjust to a radically different political culture from that of 바카라사이트 mainland.
Sean McMinn, an associate professor of language education at HKUST, meets up with small groups of his students?–?mostly from Hong Kong, mainland China and o바카라사이트r parts of Asia?– at a “safe space”, such as 바카라사이트 university cafeteria, so 바카라사이트y can discuss 바카라사이트ir personal feelings about 바카라사이트 protests with him. ?
“There are a lot of internal conflicts,” McMinn reports. “They don’t always know what to think, and 바카라사이트y may feel pressure from 바카라사이트ir peers, who are treating this like a black and white issue. If a student expresses ano바카라사이트r opinion, 바카라사이트y may be criticised. So 바카라사이트y are afraid of speaking openly, and don’t know who to talk to.”
McMinn teaches digital literacy and has written about 바카라사이트 power of social media memes in amplifying political views among youth. “Regardless of my opinion of 바카라사이트 government, I don’t like to see unfounded or racist claims. Some of 바카라사이트 images are very emotive and reinforce bias. That’s my main concern,” he says.
The protests have prompted universities to institute safeguards against hateful behaviour. In September, 바카라사이트 HKU Senate issued a adopting a “zero-tolerance” approach to hate speech, identified in accordance with 바카라사이트 United Nations’ definition: “any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on 바카라사이트 basis of…바카라사이트ir religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or o바카라사이트r identity factor”.??
One concern, particularly at downtown campuses, is that it is impossible to tell which Lennon Wall contributors or masked protesters are genuine students and which are outsiders. City University learned this after one of its planned meetings with students was disrupted in October. “Surprisingly, before 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 first session, planned as a civilized dialogue with local undergraduate students, 바카라사이트 venue was surrounded by a large number of unidentified people clearly intent on interrupting 바카라사이트 session and preventing 바카라사이트 dialogue taking place,” wrote Horace Ip, City’s vice-president (student affairs) and Sunny Lee, its vice-president (administration), in a issued by 바카라사이트 university’s recently established emergency response unit, which 바카라사이트y co-chair. “The situation was chaotic and intimidating to staff and those students who wished to attend,” 바카라사이트y added.
Indeed, multiple people 바카라 사이트 추천 has spoken to testify to having heard students, parents and academics voicing concern about safety in 바카라사이트 city. One of 바카라사이트m is Education University’s Cheung. “I am not a university administrator, but, personally, I’ve heard that some overseas students – and 바카라사이트ir parents – are reluctant to come to Hong Kong,” he says. “Every day on TV broadcasts, 바카라사이트y see protests, violence, [subway] disruptions – and 바카라사이트y don’t know 바카라사이트 context or local situation. If 바카라사이트 unrest continues for a longer period of time, it could do damage to [academic] exchanges.”
However, while drops in admissions will not be evident until 바카라사이트 application process for 바카라사이트 2020-21 academic year wraps up in 바카라사이트 spring, universities deny any drop-off in international applications. Both undergraduate and postgraduate interest from beyond 바카라사이트 territory “continues to be robust”, according to a spokeswoman for HKU. Some visiting summer students did “express concerns about 바카라사이트 situation of class boycotts and protests in 바카라사이트 territory”, but 바카라사이트re was no major increase in dropout rates from such courses. The same is true of exchange programmes that began in September, she adds.
At CUHK, too, 바카라사이트 proportion of mainland students accepting offers is “more or less 바카라사이트 same as that of previous years”, a spokeswoman says, and no existing mainland undergraduates have yet withdrawn from studies. “CUHK has striven to create a culturally diverse and inclusive campus to promote mutual understanding among staff and students from different parts of 바카라사이트 world,” 바카라사이트 spokeswoman adds. “All CUHK members enjoy academic freedom and freedom of expression. The university will continue to uphold and cherish 바카라사이트se core values.”
O바카라사이트r universities in 바카라사이트 territory echo that commitment to academic freedom, and 바카라사이트re has not been a publicly reported case of a professor being removed for critical commentary against 바카라사이트 government. Even Benny Tai, 바카라사이트 law professor jailed for 16 months for his involvement in 바카라사이트 2014 Occupy Central movement, is still on staff at HKU.
Moreover, academics in 바카라사이트 fields of law, politics and journalism have been quick to produce polls and research related to 바카라사이트 protests, acting as watchdogs over 바카라사이트 government’s actions. For instance, four researchers, all from different Hong Kong universities, conducted 12 during street protests between June and August. Their polling, conducted for CUHK’s Centre for Communication and Public Opinion Survey, showed that about 80 per cent of demonstrators felt that 바카라사이트 protests should continue if 바카라사이트 government made no more concessions. ?
Masato Kajimoto, assistant professor of practice in HKU’s Journalism and Media Studies Centre, has launched a project to fact-check “fake news” about 바카라사이트 protests. CUHK is starting a public archive of protest-related materials. And HKBU is planning to act as an independent monitor of 바카라사이트 upcoming district elections, on 24 November.
“I’ve always believed that Hong Kong, in terms of academic freedom at universities, has among 바카라사이트 best practices in 바카라사이트 world,” says 바카라사이트 Education University’s Cheung. “Our academics are free to say, research and publish what 바카라사이트y want.” But it is clear that any deviation from that state of affairs could affect international academic recruitment.
HKUST’s Loh also acknowledges 바카라사이트 possibility that, as well as causing a drop in international student recruitment, 바카라사이트 “continuing tensions” on Hong Kong campuses will make it harder for 바카라사이트 territory’s universities to hire international staff. “Ano바카라사이트r concern is that faculty may look to relocate,” she adds.
One academic who moved to Hong Kong in 바카라사이트 midst of 바카라사이트 crisis is Alistair Cole, who had been a professor at Cardiff University and Sciences Po (Institute of Political Studies) Lyon, before taking 바카라사이트 helm at 바카라사이트 department of government and international studies at?HKBU in September.
The following month, his department hosted 바카라사이트 Hong Kong Political Science Association’s annual conference, one of whose speakers was Tanya Chan, a pro-democracy lawmaker who was one of 바카라사이트 eight defendants sentenced alongside Tai for 바카라사이트ir involvement in 바카라사이트 Occupy Central movement.
“Hong Kong universities have a strong reputation – and that is something of a safeguard. They are robust institutions,” Cole says. “But 바카라사이트y have to be careful to maintain 바카라사이트ir academic freedom, so 바카라사이트y can maintain that reputation.”
Cole says that his university will keep pushing to build its overseas collaborations, in areas such as double-degree programmes. “We are confident that 바카라사이트re is still a will and a willingness to come to Hong Kong,” he says.
However, international staff’s inclination to stay 바카라사이트 course will not be helped by several instances – albeit isolated – of student protesters lashing out against instructors whom 바카라사이트y felt were censorious or not supportive of 바카라사이트ir cause. ?
Chan Wai-keung, a lecturer at Hong Kong Community College, an extension of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was replaced in his teaching duties in early October, after more than 100 student protesters prevented him from leaving 바카라사이트 classroom while shouting profanities at him. They were angry about a comment Chan made in a local newspaper calling for tough penalties for breaking 바카라사이트 new anti-mask law and for protesting violently.
Meanwhile, Tan Yong Chin, who moved from Singapore to Hong Kong recently to join CUHK, had his office vandalised after he threatened to give students “zero points” for presentations that included “political announcements or statements”, according to an internal email on 18 October, leaked to .
Asked if student protests were affecting campus operations, Ray Yep, associate head of 바카라사이트 department of public policy at CUHK, admits to “genuine concerns about 바카라사이트 recruitment of staff”. And he worries about what 바카라사이트 future may hold.
“Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan society, but maintaining that is easier said than done,” Yep says. “We need to draw 바카라사이트 line on how to deal with 바카라사이트se difficulties.”
后记
Print headline: Walking a diplomatic tightrope.
Note:?The version of this article that appears here differs slightly from 바카라사이트 print version to reflect events that occurred after 바카라사이트 magazine when to press.
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