Wednesday, 14 Apr 2021 02:57 PM MYT
“Reaffirming HKU’s core commitment to academic freedom and institutional autonomy, this paper recommends that two mechanisms be created to ensure that, in the sphere of , these values are safeguarded to the fullest extent possible within the framework of the NSL,” Holliday said. “This committee ... is just a symbolic gesture to show that the university will take care of those alleged threats of academic freedom, but basically, what can this committee really do, because the NSL is broad and strict and it’s open to interpretation?” said one senior university employee.
Reuters has not seen that letter and was unable to verify the contents of it. The UGC declined to comment on the letter. Critics of the HKU letter say it underscores the pressures universities face as the former British colony navigates the new security law. A spokesman for the Education Bureau told Reuters that everyone must comply with the law and that other measures were being considered to ensure loyalty to Beijing.