Cool down and talk

It's eye-opening to see how University of Hong Kong vice-chancellor Zhang Xiang and the governing council, led by prominent barrister Priscilla Wong Pui-sze, are laying bare a conflict that observers see as a power struggle - but such a definition could be misleading.

Both Zhang and Wong are trusted by the SAR government and Beijing.

Zhang, an academic who returned from the US, ticked all the key boxes before he was appointed to the HKU's top job in 2018.

Wong also chairs the city's Independent Police Complaints Council, a public role that is open to patriots only.

It would be a mistake to view the incident that is fast unfolding at HKU as two sides engaging in a personal spat against each other.

And to view the saga as "witch hunt" - as one observer asserted - is grossly out of tune with reality.

The situation is eye-opening because, until a day ago, no one outside HKU's top management knew what had occurred to lead to the conflict between Zhang and Wong.

Although both disclosed a little more this week to let the public - including taxpayers - know what the issues were roughly about, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's remarks before yesterday's Executive Council meeting offered an insight into what lies behind the dispute.

First, Lee said: "If HKU has problems with administration, then it should be improved." In other words, the fiasco revolves around administration.

Second: "If there are important vacancies that have been left long vacant, then they have to be filled up." Thus, it also involves important management posts being left vacant for a long time.

Third: "If there are procedures that are unclear, then we need to write out clearer procedures." So it is about procedures. But which procedures are in question?

He did not say.

A further point Lee emphasized concerned finances: "If there are issues with the finances, then we have to ensure that there will be clear accountability and responsibility."

Although more information has been revealed for the public to put the matter into some perspective, the information revealed so far is still very limited.

The chief executive has set up a group to: first, clarify the facts; second, strengthen cooperation between the various parties; and third, propose improvement measures.

However, what may be missing is whether someone will be taken to task if the group formed by Permanent Secretary for Education Michelle Li and University Grants Committee chairman Tim Lui are able to uncover more.

Beijing's thinking will be essential.

Yesterday, Wen Wei Po carried a short commentary saying it is necessary to "consider the overall situation."

Ta Kung Pao also ran a headline highlighting the importance of considering the overall situation.

What is the "overall situation?" Basic Law Committee deputy director Wong Yuk-shan had this to say in an interview: "HKU is important to China."

Obviously, Li and Lui face a delicate political task.

That being said, the chief executive was right to state HKU does not belong to any single person, not the vice-chancellor, nor any individual on the council - it belongs to all Hong Kong people.

Then, does it follow that Hong Kong people have the right to know the truth?