When Statues Decide to Pack Their Bags
On a chilly December morn, two of Hong Kong’s university campuses decided that it was time for their monumental guests to go private‑eye in the night.
CUHK: The Goddess of Democracy Gets a Surprise Clean‑Up
- Workers slipped onto the campus before the sun blinked awake and whisked the “Goddess of Democracy”—flaming torch in hand—away from the open square.
- The university released a quick note saying it had removed an unauthorized piece after a “quick campus audit.”
- It turned out the campus manager felt the statue had no official travel documents or a campus visitor card.
Lingnan University: Wall Relief Goes to the Vault
Alongside CUHK, Lingnan pulled down a wall relief—complete with a depiction of the goddess and the infamous massacre wall—without the grand ceremony it usually deserves. Local reports say it was a quiet operation, no fireworks or tear‑jerking speeches.
UHK: “Pillar of Shame” Takes a Hard Stop
- UHK dismantled its 8‑meter “Pillar of Shame,” a monument that had been a campus staple for more than two decades.
- After a swift investigation, the university decided it was time for the pillar to retire into a safe space.
Why the Sudden Removals?
All four campuses point to the national security law as the reason behind their rapid removals. While authorities argue it brings order and “safety,” human‑rights advocates counter that it stifles civil society and sidelines basic freedoms.
Remembering the Past, Recalling the Promises
In 1997, Hong Kong returned from British rule to China, carrying a “one country, two systems” pledge that promised wide‑ranging autonomy. The recent actions, though carried out on the campus grounds, echo the tensions between that promise and the current climate.
Final Note
While Mainland China bans any commemorations of the June 4 protests, Hong Kong had once been the only place on Chinese soil to hold these public memorials. Now, with the statues gone, the campus streets feel a little quieter—yet the memory of those protests remains loud inside students’ minds.
