Security tight as Chinese U resumes classes

Chinese University ramped up security measures on the first day of the new semester yesterday after violent clashes at the Sha Tin campus in November forced it to end the last semester early.

Students and teachers have to show their passes at check points before being allowed in while visitors have to register.

A dozen security officers guard one check point at the University MTR Station.

School bus services have been slower than usual as some buses were damaged during the five-day clash on the No 2 Bridge which blocked traffic on Tolo Highway from November 11-15, and routes had to be reassigned.

Many students also wore masks amid a mystery pneumonia scare as a CUHK student fell ill after visiting Wuhan last month.

Vice-chancellor Rocky Tuan Sung-chi sent an open letter to students, staff members and alumni yesterday, saying the beginning of the second term "has been long anticipated by all caring members of the CUHK community" and the new term starting as scheduled should not be taken for granted.

"Apart from infrastructural restoration and improvement, I fully acknowledge the greater challenges that lie ahead, regarding the rebuilding of confidence among our own members, our partners and different stakeholders," Tuan said.

"I will personally spearhead many of the initiatives to address these challenges."

He also called for patience and understanding for the inconvenience as access is still restricted, with the No 2 Bridge and the Sir Philip Hadden-Cave Sports Field still closed.

"In spite of the series of unfortunate, challenging events in recent months, I believe that these trials and tribulations will instead renew and reinforce our sense of community and resolve to bounce back stronger and more united," Tuan added.

A student said he was glad to have lessons on campus after two months of class suspension.

"I am happy to see the campus has restored calm, and all the storms have come to an end for the time being," he said.

But he found the new security measures inconvenient and would obstruct parents and other visitors from coming to the campus. "I think such measures mean they don't trust students. It has overreacted and I think it's unnecessary," he said. "The university should be a place for people to have free access."

But another student said she thought it was necessary for the university to tighten its security measures.

"It has to protect the university so other people can't get in to damage the campus. So I think it's right for the university to conduct these measures," she said.

She found the campus is less vibrant than before.

"After experiencing those unhappy incidents, we avoid talking about politics," she added.

Some students said they did not want to see the university become a battlefield again and hoped everyone can be safe.

"Of course I don't want the university to become the battlefield, but I hope the protest can last until the five demands have been achieved," a student said.

The CUHK campus facilities and shuttle buses were severely damaged after fierce confrontation between protesters and police in November. The University MTR Station was forced to close and reopened last month.

The university announced the end of the first semester on November 13, and all undergraduate and postgraduate classes on campus were called off until the second semester starts.

The Education University also started its second term yesterday. Students and staff members have to show their passes before entering the campus.

The university turned its classes and assessments to online teaching in November as students and teachers had difficulty traveling to the Ting Kok campus amid the protests.