Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung Vice-Chancellor of CUHK (2010–2017)

35 中文大學校刊 Chinese University Bulletin | 特刊 Special Supplement our regards to the student leaders. We found an agitated crowd upon arrival. And we both urged the students to calm down and communicate with the Government through negotiation. Our act had won support and criticisms. We were most concerned about the safety of our students. When they sought our help, it was our responsibility as teachers to be there to give advice. If for various reasons we did not, and if unfortunately the situation ran uncontrolled resulting in bloodshed and casualties, I will definitely regret it for the rest of my life. It was neither political stance nor personal views that drove me there. Looking back, I have nothing to regret. If the same thing happened again, I will definitely react in the same way. After you made a statement on the banner of Hong Kong independence hung on campus, some students said the Vice-Chancellor has forsaken them and ceased to be their comrade. Is it where your frustration and pain lie? I haven’t changed at all. As I said in a blog article titled My Chinese Heart several years ago, I see myself as a Chinese, or a Hong Kong Chinese. I still think so today. I haven’t changed my stance or turned away from my students for the sake of personal interest or other causes. It’s just that I insist that we cannot deny our national identity or status. As stipulated in the Basic Law, Hong Kong is part of China. Schools should abide by the constitutional declaration and the Basic Law. I do feel bad when students attack me on this. But well, all I can say is I have given my best shot and there’s no regret. You are a frequent blogger and Facebooker. What are your gain and loss on these social media platforms? I want to communicate with the young generation and st udents t o fe el how t hey fe el , a nd t o understand their likes and dislikes. The social media platforms seem to be most fit for the purpose. I write every post myself because it will be meaningless if my account is managed by others. I’ve made a lot of friends and come to know more about how they see things. That’s my gain. On the other hand, I have to face everything that can possibly appear on the online platforms, including criticisms, abuses and vicious attacks. That is my loss. As a result, I have learned to become more cautious and low-profile. I will be even more low-profile after I step down and return to the Faculty of Medicine. 當天晚上，我和馬校長分別收到一些學 生來電，認為形勢緊急，預感將會爆發衝 突，希望我們到場呼籲群眾冷靜。馬校長 致電給我後，我倆本想着慰問學生領袖， 決定走一趟。到了現場，只見群情洶湧。 我們說了一番話，主要是希望大家冷靜， 坐在談判桌旁與政府溝通。對於我們此 舉，有人贊同，也有人覺得不適合。當日 的群眾當中有我們的學生，在那樣的環 境，學生向我們求援，如果我因為種種原 因而沒有到現場盡老師的本分作出呼籲， 一旦有人不幸受傷流血的話，我想我必會 終生遺憾。驅使我那天踏出那一步的原 因，並不是因為既定的政治立場，或個人 看法。現在回看，我仍是問心無愧。再做 一次，我還是會到場勸他們冷靜下來。 最近你就校園港獨橫額事件發出聲明 後，有學生認為校長已離棄了他們， 不再是他們的同路人了。這是否就是 你說的挫敗或心痛的地方？ 其實我沒有改變，我一貫的立場和價值 觀就是：我是一個中國人，或香港的中國 人。這個身分的課題其實在多年前一篇 題為〈我的中國心〉的網誌已曾提及。我 並不是變了，離開了學生，因某種利益或 原因改變了方向和立場。我仍然覺得我 們不能夠否認自己的民族身分和位置。 香港是中國的一部分，這是基本法明陳 的，學校應該遵從憲法和基本法的論 述。有些學生因此對我展開抨擊，我當然 不會開心，但是也只能求問心無愧吧。 你經常發表網誌和更新面書，可否談 談在這些社交平台上的得與失？ 我進入這些社交平台是希望能夠感受年 輕一輩或學生的脈搏。要知道他們的喜 與惡，一定要進入他們的世界和他們溝 通。每一則貼文都是我親自寫的，沒有專 人給我管理，否則那便失卻意義了。得的 是交了很多朋友，多了解他們的想法。失 的是要面對網上平台可能出現的一切，包 括批評謾駡甚至惡意中傷。所以我也學 曉了在網上平台低調和謹慎一點。卸任校 長，回歸醫學院後，可能還要更低調。