Dozens sign petition calling on Chinese University of Hong Kong economist to apologise over ‘sexist’ talk

Dozens of Chinese University of Hong Kong students and alumni have signed a petition calling on an economics professor to issue a public apology over his controversial talk last week on women and marriage, which many accused of being “sexist.”

As of Monday night, the petition had more than 80 signatories from students and alumni of CUHK’s New Asia College urging Terence Chong to apologise. It also asked the college to suspend Chong from his post as associate college head, and consider removing him from the role permanently.

The controversy stemmed from a talk delivered by Chong, titled “How to invest in your life?”, at a biweekly college assembly last week.

During the talk, he spoke of “women fishing for a golden tortoise” – a Chinese euphemism for a rich partner – and women’s youth being “very precious.”

He suggested female students should not pursue PhDs, advising them instead to look for a wealthy husband while young. A presentation slide from his talk read: “The cost-benefit [analysis] of girls fishing for a golden tortoise.”

His remarks caused online backlash with students, who said Chong espoused “old-fashioned social norms of gender roles” and “misogynistic beliefs.”

Some also Chong’s comments were “materialistic” and “sexist,” promoting gender stereotypes and objectifying women.

The petition, started by a concern group founded after the talk, said Chong’s remarks had damaged New Asia College’s image and reversed efforts to achieve gender equality in society.

“[Chong] has not admitted that the content of his speech constitutes sexism, and he has not recalled his speech. This is unacceptable,” the petition letter read.

“His comments undermine years of efforts made by generations of predecessors to eradicate gender stereotypes and achieve gender equity,” it added.

The petition also called on New Asia College to strengthen vetting procedures for guest speakers, including by allowing student representatives to sit on the committee that determines biweekly assembly content.

Following the public backlash last week, Chong had maintained that he “did not discriminate” as men can also find rich partners.

CUHK said after the backlash that New Asia College has reminded Chong to be mindful of speech and other people’s feeling.

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Hans Tse is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press with an interest in local politics, academia, and media transformation. He was previously a social science researcher, with writing published in the Social Movement Studies and Social Transformation of Chinese Societies journals. He holds an M.Phil in communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Before joining HKFP, he also worked as a freelance reporter for Initium between 2019 and 2021, where he covered the height - and aftermath - of the 2019 protests, as well as the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.