Media Releases

Statement by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (11:45am)

The campus of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was occupied by protesters on 13 November (Wednesday) and was cordoned off by the Police on 17 November (Sunday). As a result, PolyU was forced to announce a full suspension of classes and the rest of its normal operation. In the afternoon of 18 November (Monday), the University obtained agreement from the Police that they would not attempt to enter the campus for a temporary period. PolyU immediately connected with various sectors of the community to enter the campus and persuade those remaining on the campus to leave in a peaceful and orderly manner. As of today, more than 1,000 people, including about 300 secondary school students have left the campus peacefully. Amongst them, to the best of our knowledge, there are about 50 are PolyU students. Currently the campus is in a chaotic state, with debris, petrol bombs and dangerous chemicals scattered around the campus, which pose a considerable threat to personal safety. The hygiene conditions and air quality are also unsatisfactory, adversely threatening the health of those on the campus and those wanting to enter the campus, such as ambulance crew and social workers. It is estimated that only some tens of people remain on campus. PolyU will continue to convince these people to leave peacefully through different channels and methods. The University also urges the Government to immediately adopt a peaceful and humanitarian approach in order to help persuade and arrange for those remaining to leave the campus. We also request that the Police cordon be removed as soon as possible and the campus be returned to the University so that restoration work can begin. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr LAM Tai-Fai, Council Chairman Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President Professor Philip C. H. CHAN, Deputy President and Provost Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President Mr Andy TONG, Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) Ir Professor Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development) Ir Professor Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student Affairs)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Statement

In view of the prevailing cordoning-off of the PolyU campus, and facilities on campus being extensively and severely vandalized, in considering the personal safety of PolyU staff members, the University has earlier decided to extend office suspension until 1 December 2019 (Sunday). Staff should stay away from the campus, and are expected to work from home as far as practicable. The University will later decide on the need for further extending the office suspension, as well as the work arrangements for staff members, taking into account the developments of the issue and the environmental situations of the campus.

Campus Update

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today issued an email on "Campus Update" to its students, staff and alumni. Please refer to the details in the attachment.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) makes Stern Clarification on Rumours

There are rumours spreading on the Internet today (19 November) on PolyU top management having reached consensus with the Police, under which PolyU teachers and lawyers are allowed to enter the campus for the last day today to help people on the campus to leave. The campus will then be cordoned off for the Police to enter to search for suspects. PolyU sternly clarifies that the above is absolutely not true. PolyU senior management met with the Police yesterday (18 November) to request the Police not to enter the campus for the time being, and PolyU will make its utmost effort to persuade its students and staff to leave the campus. The concerns of the University raised at the meeting are already stated in the statement issued (see attachment).

Statement by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (4:30pm)

The Senior Management and teachers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today continue to make their utmost efforts to persuade people staying on its campus to leave. The University requests the Police not to enter the campus for the time being, so as to allow people on campus the chance to leave in a peaceful and orderly manner. The University reiterates its hope that all arrested persons will be treated with fairness and in a humanitarian manner. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr LAM Tai-Fai, Council Chairman Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President Professor Philip C. H. CHAN, Deputy President and Provost Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President Mr Andy TONG, Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) Ir Professor Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development) Ir Professor Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student Affairs)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Statement - Clarification (only Chinese version available)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Statement - Clarification (only Chinese version available)

Statement by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (4:30pm)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) met with Mr Siu Chak Yee, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2:45pm today. The University is particularly concerned about the following: The personal safety of all concerned must be taken into account, regardless of the actions taken by the Police to prevent injuries or casualties. Ambulance crews should be immediately arranged to provide paramedic services for the injured, who should be taken to hospital for treatment without delay. If needed, the Police is to deploy a crisis management team to enter the campus with the top management team to seek a peaceful way to resolve the issue. The Police should treat all arrested persons with fairness and in a humanitarian manner. The Police is to arrange for PolyU's top management to accompany the arrested staff and students to the police station to ensure their cases are fairly processed. The campus should not be turned into a battlefield. There are dangerous materials stored on campus, damage to which could give rise to serious consequences. The PolyU will make its utmost effort to persuade its students and staff to leave the campus and will request that the Police do not enter the campus for the time being. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr LAM Tai-Fai, Council Chairman Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President Professor Philip C. H. CHAN, Deputy President and Provost Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President Mr Andy TONG, Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) Ir Professor Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development) Ir Professor Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student Affairs)

Statement by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (only Chinese version available) (12 noon)

Statement by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (only Chinese version available) (12 noon)

Emergency Message from PolyU

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today issued an emergency message to its students, staff and alumni. Please refer to the details in the attachment.

Statement by Heads of Universities on Current Situation in Hong Kong

Hong Kong society is currently fractured, with deep divisions across social groups, political parties, and even amongst family and friends. The past week has seen a rapid escalation of violence and confrontation throughout Hong Kong: several universities are now under protestors' control; on-campus hazardous materials have been taken; staff and students have left campus out of fear for their personal safety. These events are challenging our universities in the most fundamental way. No political viewpoint gives a licence to damage property, employ physical threats, or use violence against individuals. It is regrettable that societal disagreement has led to university campuses becoming major political battlefields, and that the government response has so far not been effective. However, any demand that universities can simply fix the problem is disconnected from reality: these complicated and challenging situations neither originate from the Universities, nor can they be resolved through University disciplinary processes. They are reflections of Hong Kong-wide disagreement, and the government must take the lead with swift and concrete action to resolve this political deadlock and to restore safety and public order now. Hong Kong is our home. We call on all quarters of society to work together to bring peace and order back to Hong Kong. Prof. KUO Way, President, City University of Hong Kong Prof. Roland T. CHIN President & Vice-Chancellor, Hong Kong Baptist University Prof. Leonard CHENG, President, Lingnan University Prof. Rocky S. TUAN, President & Vice-Chancellor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prof. Stephen CHEUNG, President, The Education University of Hong Kong Prof. TENG Jin-Guang , President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Wei SHYY, President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Prof. WONG Yuk-Shan, President, The Open University of Hong Kong Prof. ZHANG Xiang, President & Vice-Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong (Listed in alphabetical order of universities)