Hong Kong polling body halts self-funded research amid national security probe

A prominent Hong Kong polling institute will suspend all self-funded research activities indefinitely in a “transformation” that may see it close down completely.

The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute made the announcement on Thursday, just weeks after president and CEO Robert Chung Ting-yu was questioned by national security police as part of an investigation into whether he or his organisation aided an absconder.

“HKPORI will suspend all its self-funded research activities indefinitely,” the institute said.

It added that the suspended works included regular tracking surveys the institute had conducted since 1992, and all of its recently introduced feature studies.

The institute said it would focus efforts on preparing and executing existing commissioned studies, including those still in the negotiation stage.

“HKPORI will undergo a transformation or even close down,” it said.