The president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has said “the path is open” for the revival of the institution’s main student union, so long as it registers with authorities in accordance with the law.
Dennis Lo Yuk-ming also pushed back on claims that the university was overreliant on intake from mainland China, arguing that it was making strides in diversification.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, he said the pathway to re-establishing a central union remained available through legal registration, pointing to the two college unions that had already done so, but offered no timetable.
“Our position has never changed. The student union will need to go through Hong Kong’s legal procedures. We require registration under the Societies Ordinance or the Companies Ordinance,” Lo said.
“Among our nine colleges, SH Ho College and Morningside College have already done so – this proves the path is open. We have colleagues actively in touch with students to help them through this process.”
In March 2021, the main student union’s cabinet, known as “Syzygia”, resigned after CUHK warned that the organisation faced legal risks under the national security law. The university also cut off the group’s fee collection capabilities and administrative support.