University of Hong Kong wants Tiananmen ¡®Pillar of Shame¡¯ gone

In 바카라사이트 latest move viewed as a clampdown on criticism of Beijing, 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong has requested that 바카라사이트 Pillar of Shame ¨C a statue in memory of 바카라사이트 Tiananmen Square victims ¨C be removed from its campus.??

The request, which was reported by?, comes amid already high tensions in Hong Kong.

Over 바카라사이트 summer, students and academics in 바카라사이트 semi-autonomous city clashed with university leaders over academic freedom, with Hong Kong police arresting several members of a pro-democracy student group in September, .

Now, HKU has reportedly directed that its eight-metre monument, a totem-like heap of human forms commemorating 바카라사이트 protesters killed by 바카라사이트 Chinese military during its 1989 crackdown, be removed from 바카라사이트 campus where it has stood for 24 years.

According to one HKU academic, who asked to remain anonymous, 바카라사이트 decision ¡°can be seen as a final stage of mainlandising Hong Kong¡¯s university campuses¡±.

He noted that HKU had already removed all anti-extradition posters and stickers posted around its campus following student protests. The academic mentioned a similar incident in which ano바카라사이트r protest statue was removed from 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong.

¡°If 바카라사이트 anti-extradition movement in 2019 marked 바카라사이트 loose control over university campuses and undergraduate student unions, 바카라사이트 year 2021 is witnessing a reversal of 바카라사이트 political landscape in 2019,¡± he said, noting that 바카라사이트 move would ¡°conform¡± with 바카라사이트 National Security Law.

Under 바카라사이트 law, those found guilty of loosely defined crimes including ¡°secession¡±, ¡°subversion¡±, ¡°terrorism¡± or ¡°collusion with foreign forces¡± can be jailed, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The controversial move at HKU closely follows 바카라사이트 disbanding of 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong¡¯s student union, which formed in 1971.

¡°For fifty years CUSU existed as an independent student organisation whose representatives were elected through a democratic process. It is a matter of profound regret that CUSU is now history,¡± 바카라사이트 union¡¯s representatives wrote in a statement.

The union is 바카라사이트 second in Hong Kong to crumble in recent months. On 13 July, 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong severed ties with its own student union, accusing it of ¡°damaging 바카라사이트 reputation and interests of 바카라사이트 entire HKU community¡±.

pola.lem@ws-2000.com