26 Jan 2018 | 07:05 PM UTC
Hong Kong: Protest over the suspension of two students Jan. 26
Hundreds of people protest near Baptist University over the suspension of two students January 26; further demonstrations possible; avoid all protests
Event
On Friday, January 26, hundreds of students and university staff staged a demonstration in front of the Baptist University (located in Kowloon) to protest the suspension of two students who reportedly criticized the university's mandatory Mandarin language exam.
Student unions threatened to stage additional demonstrations if the university does not lift the suspension of the two students and allow students to opt out of the Mandarin language exam.
Context
Mandarin is the main dialect used in mainland China, while Cantonese is still widely spoken in Hong Kong.
Pro-democracy, pro-independence, and anti-Beijing protests are common in Hong Kong. In September 2017, clashes broke out between pro-independence and anti-separatist students at the Chinese University following increasing reports of pro-independence posters and material appearing around the university.
Advice
Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to keep abreast of the situation, and to avoid the vicinity of the demonstration as a precaution due to the potential for violence.
