Beijing’s tightening grip forces Hong Kong universities into decline
In the wake of Beijing’s increasing influence, Hong Kong’s once-thriving academic community is facing a profound decline. Scholars and students, speaking anonymously due to fears of reprisals, reveal a stark transformation in the city’s universities, which were once renowned for academic freedom and progressive learning environments.
The effects are evident in the alarming statistics: during the 2021/22 academic year, over 360 scholars departed from Hong Kong’s eight public universities, marking a 7.4% turnover rate, the highest since the region’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. Additionally, foreign student enrollments have plunged by 13% since 2019.
The erosion of academic freedom is attributed to the implementation of the National Security Law (NSL) in 2020. This far-reaching legislation targets behavior deemed secessionist or subversive, instilling fear among academics who now practice self-censorship. Stephan Ortmann, a political scientist at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, notes colleagues removing Hong Kong and China-related content from their courses.
The once-vibrant city, known for frequent protests and open dissent, now faces a stifling atmosphere. Public libraries have been purged of materials promoting “bad ideologies,” and pro-democracy activists find themselves excluded from elections or imprisoned. Security checks introduced in 2021 further contribute to the palpable shift in the academic landscape.
Even renowned institutions like the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) reflect this change. Former battlegrounds, like the democracy wall and the statue of the Goddess of Democracy, have been stripped bare or removed. A sense of helplessness pervades among students, and some opt to avoid sensitive courses, fearing surveillance and potential repercussions.
The impact is not limited to the local population; scholars from abroad hesitate to apply for positions, and hiring research assistants has become a challenge. Fewer students are pursuing humanities or social sciences Ph.D. programs, with diminishing prospects of completion.
Individual stories underscore the broader trend. Historian Rowena He, whose visa renewal was denied and employment terminated, laments the rejection as a loss for academic work in Hong Kong. Her journey, marked by loneliness and adversity, highlights the city’s changing landscape.
As Hong Kong grapples with this academic exodus, the future of the once-prominent center for scholarly excellence remains uncertain. The NSL, intended to bring stability, has inadvertently led to the dismantling of two decades of progress, leaving the city’s academic community grappling with an uncertain future.
