Chinese University of Hong Kong governing body ‘disappointed’ over handling of logo redesign

Some slammed the university management for undertaking the overhaul without consulting the council or carrying out consultations.

Chai said the council was “disappointed” with the judgments of management and it “could not accept” the lack of cooperation in reviewing the project.

Tuan also told a council meeting in October 2022 that as the top leader of the university he would accept overall responsibility for the project, Chai said.

Asked how Tuan, who announced his resignation in January, would take responsibility, Chai said: “Whether or not you will resign or whether or not you will take responsibility are two separate issues.”

Chai was reluctant to elaborate further.

Just days after starting a new three-year term on January 1, Tuan announced he was resigning following a contentious overhaul of the council. But in a highly unusual move, he would stay on for one year to “ensure a smooth transition”.

Some members of the pro-establishment camp had earlier accused Tuan of showing sympathy towards students protesting during the social unrest in 2019.

Chai said Tuan had been notified of the council’s meeting on Monday, but he went on a planned business trip instead. Tuan was present at the previous meeting in June when the report was first presented, he added.

The council chairman also took aim at the management’s “inadequate” cooperation on the review of the emblem controversy, as the affair dragged on for 19 months, and the process required hiring an external consultant at the end to gain a full understanding of the incident.

The council would learn from the experience and take appropriate measures to strengthen university governance to avoid a repeat of the affair, Chai added.

The redesign retained the colours and symbol of the old version, but no longer halved the shield to apply the purple and gold in a reversed format.