HK radical students' glorification of violence draws flak

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong University Students' Union drew huge public criticism on Friday for lauding the "sacrifice" of a lone-wolf terrorist who stabbed a police officer before killing himself last week.

The chairmen of the Councils of the UGC Funded Universities, who lead eight top universities in Hong Kong, issued a joint statement calling for nurturing of proper values among students and staff following a series of shockingly violent crimes.

"Given the highly volatile situation, it is particularly regrettable that some members of the community have attempted to legitimize and even glorify such acts of violence," the statement reads.

The university chairmen said these acts are not only an affront to the law, but had gone beyond the norms of public decency, morality and value.

"All university stakeholders have a duty to halt extremist thinking, and to distance themselves from violence, and instead adopt proper values," adds the statement.

Among the signatories is Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, chairman of the Council of The University of Hong Kong. In an interview with local media on Thursday, Li said he welcomed a national security probe into student union leaders, who have to be accountable for their behavior.

Following strong public criticism, the Council of the Hong Kong University Students' Union announced in the early hours of Friday they would revoke the extremely controversial motion on paying tribute to the assailant that it passed on Wednesday. In the motion, the Council said they "appreciate the sacrifice" of the assailant and expressed their condolences over his "unfortunate passing".

The council also announced that all union executive committee members would resign from their positions.