Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, expressed concern over the extended vacancies and frequent staffing changes in senior management roles at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Lee emphasized the importance of resolving the ongoing leadership row between HKU President Xiang Zhang and the school’s council led by Priscilla Wong Pui-sze.
Lee, who also serves as HKU’s chancellor, noted the negative impact of prolonged vacancies on overall administrative work. He stressed the need for a new investigation group to reconcile the conflict and bring clarity to the situation as quickly as possible.
The dispute originated from the council’s endorsement of interim vice-president appointments without informing Zhang, prompting management reshuffles. In response, the council defended its actions in an open letter, attributing the changes to necessary measures for the university’s improvement.
As HKU seeks to fill senior management roles, the government has established an investigation group to address the issue. Lee expressed hope that by prioritizing the university’s interests, a solution can be found through open dialogue among stakeholders.