Outgoing Bourse Chief Named HKU Council Member

The chief executive of Hong Kong Stock Exchanges and Clearing, Charles Li, has been named a member of the governing council of the University of Hong Kong, raising concern that it's part of a move by the school's leadership to tighten its grip on the body.

Li was appointed by the university's chancellor, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, to fill a vacancy on the council.

The three-year appointment will take effect from November 1.

“I think Charles Li is part of an overall scheme for the chancellor which is concurrently the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to tighten the control over the University of Hong Kong’s administration," said Mak Tung-wing, the deputy head of the University's Alumni Concern Group.

“I don’t think it matters a lot whether Charles Li is a member or the chairman of the council. Whoever is in the position, he or she must execute the policy of tightening control over the university administration,” he said.

Li is one of six council members appointed by the chancellor who is not a student or staff of the school.

The HKU Council has a total of 24 members, which also include students, faculty and staff. Former education chief Arthur Li is the council's chairman.

The HKEx announced in May that Li will step down as CEO when his contract expires in October next year.

The HKU Council on Tuesday appointed two scholars as vice-presidents, with one refuting reports that he is a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

Some students and staff are unhappy with the appointments, saying they would undermine academic freedom and institutional autonomy at the university.

A decision by the council to sack legal scholar and Occupy movement co-founder Benny Tai earlier this year has too raised concern about academic freedom.