Hong Kong's Lingnan University Students’ Union disbands after 59 years

The Lingnan University Students’ Union (LUSU) in Hong Kong has announced its dissolution after 59 years of operation, citing "changes in circumstances inside and outside school." This marks the latest student group in the city to cease operations.

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But there have been changes in circumstances inside and outside school in recent years, and after balancing different factors, the union has made the difficult decision to disband.

Founded in 1967, LUSU stated on social media that a resolution to disband was passed this week. The union highlighted its historical role in promoting student well-being and raising awareness of social issues and Hong Kong's development. However, "changes in circumstances in recent years" led to the difficult decision to disband after balancing various factors.

Student unions in Hong Kong have historically been active in the city's pro-democracy movements, including the 2014 Umbrella Movement and the 2019 protests. However, the implementation of a national security law by Beijing in 2020 significantly curtailed dissent. Since then, several universities have distanced themselves from their student unions.

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externally registered society

Lingnan University itself issued a statement last July, declaring it had no affiliation with LUSU, referring to it as an "externally registered society." The university asserted that LUSU's statements and actions were inconsistent with its core values and had damaged its reputation. Following LUSU's disbandment, only two publicly funded universities in Hong Kong, the City University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, still maintain active student unions.

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inconsistent with the core values of the university and 'caused damage' to its reputation.