Economist formally apologises for ‘sexist’ campus talk as students urge suspension

An economist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has issued a formal apology for a campus talk criticised as “sexist”, as an online petition calling for his suspension from college duties drew nearly 100 signatures.

Terence Chong Tai-leung, an associate head of New Asia College and an associate professor in CUHK’s Department of Economics, posted the apology on his personal Facebook page on Tuesday, a week after making the remarks during an assembly presentation.

Chong also offered an apology last week when asked by the South China Morning Post about his remarks.

“I sincerely apologise for the public discontent and offence caused to some individuals by my remarks at the recent New Asia College assembly,” Chong, who is also an alumnus of the college, wrote on Tuesday. “I apologise for any misunderstandings the remarks had caused and for any discomfort felt by members of the public.”

Chong said he had failed to consider carefully whether his choice of words and the setting were appropriate when expressing his views.

“I deeply respected women, firmly believe men and women were equally important and capable in society, and supported equal opportunities for both sexes to receive education and realise their potential,” he said.

The controversy erupted after Chong gave a talk titled “How to invest in your life?” at a New Asia College biweekly assembly on September 22. One of the slides was titled “Economics of Partner Choice” and carried the heading “The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Women Marrying for Money”.

Chong was reported to have told students that “it’s pointless for women to get high GPAs; they need to marry rich in the end anyway” and that “women had better not pursue a PhD because their youth is precious”.

The comments sparked outrage among students, who accused him of reducing women’s choice of partners to financial considerations. Critics described the remarks as gender-biased, objectifying and unfair.

On Tuesday evening, an online petition initiated by New Asia College students and alumni had attracted 98 signatures. It called for Chong to be suspended from his college duties and for disciplinary action to be considered.

The petition also urged the college to issue a public apology and strengthen its vetting of guest speakers’ positions on activities organised by the college, in order to uphold the core values of university and college general education, and the foundations of a diverse society.

Two New Asia College students told the SCMP last Friday that they were disappointed with Chong and the handling of the incident.

A second-year female student who attended the assembly and wished to remain anonymous said she felt uncomfortable and patronised while listening to Chong’s presentation.

“He gave the impression that the destiny of women was just to get married when they are still young,” she said. “He raised no academic evidence when discussing these personal perspectives either.”

She recalled that the talk initially felt boring, but the atmosphere turned tense when Chong raised gender-related topics. Many students began whispering to one another and taking photos of the presentation slides.

During the question and answer session, two female students challenged his views on women. The audience applauded them before the host abruptly ended the session.

The second-year student said the issue underscored the urgent need for college management to listen to students and involve them in decision-making to prevent similar problems from recurring.

According to the college website, students are required to attend at least one biweekly assembly each semester.

The Committee on Biweekly Assembly, the organiser of the assemblies, has 14 staff members, including Chong, and two student seats, which are vacant.

Previously, one seat was reserved for a student union member, while the other was filled through an open recruitment process run by the union. The union folded last December, and the college began recruiting for both positions this month.

A third-year student, who also wished to remain anonymous, questioned whether the college management had failed in its oversight. Staff, the student said, should have received the presentation slides in advance and offered guidance to ensure the talk aligned with students’ interests and met its learning objectives.

Wong said the college should also improve communication with students, who could complain only through an online assembly feedback form or by emailing the college.

“New Asia College was built on the foundation of humanism and teaching by example, not purely on imparting knowledge. Whether our teachers have the capacity to communicate and listen to our feedback – that, to me, is the true essence of the founding values,” he said.

“Professor Chong’s views, while utilitarian, offer an opportunity for open debate. Could the college provide a platform for such a meaningful and critical dialogue? That is a way we could improve the general education.”

CUHK previously said New Asia College had reminded the speaker to be mindful of his comments and to consider the feelings of members of the university community and the wider public.

The university added that the college would continue to foster an inclusive campus environment based on mutual respect and diversity.