THE REPORT OF THE REVIEW PANEL ON THE CENTENARY CEREMONY HELD ON AUGUST 18 Contents Chapter 1 – The Panel and This Report........................................................................................................3 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................3 Appointment of the Panel ..............................................................................................................................4 Membership of the Panel ...............................................................................................................................4 The Concerns of the HKUSU..........................................................................................................................5 The Panel’s Approach ......................................................................................................................................6 Transparency .......................................................................................................................................................8 Investigations and Proceedings Undertaken by Others....................................................................9 Standard of Proof ............................................................................................................................................. 10 The Structure of This Report...................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2 – The Visit of the Vice‐Premier ............................................................................................... 11 Background Leading to the Invitation of a National Leader........................................................ 11 The First Phase: The Gestation Period (2009 – early May 2011)............................................. 11 The Second Phase: Idea Taking Shape (early May 2011 – early July 2011)........................ 14 The Third Phase: Intense Preparation (early July 2011 – 18 August 2011)....................... 15 Should HKU Invite the Visit of a National Leader?........................................................................... 17 Chapter 3 – The University’s Core Values................................................................................................. 19 The Need to Address the University’s Core Values........................................................................... 19 What Are the University’s Core Values?................................................................................................ 20 Were the University’s Core Values Damaged?.................................................................................... 24 Chapter 4 – The Event Arrangements ........................................................................................................ 25 The Ceremony................................................................................................................................................... 25 The Criticism..................................................................................................................................................... 26 The Coordinator of the Event and the Organic Structure............................................................. 26 The Objectives to be Achieved .................................................................................................................. 30 The Communication of the Vice‐Premier’s Visit.............................................................................. 31 Invitation of On‐stage Guests and Lord Wilson.................................................................................. 31 One Guest or Two Guests of Honour?.................................................................................................... 34 The Stage and “the Ceremonial Chair” .................................................................................................. 35 The Seating Arrangement ........................................................................................................................... 37 The Involvement of the CLO and the CE Office ................................................................................. 41 The Allocation of Seats on the Floor of Loke Yew Hall.................................................................... 47 The Role of the Students................................................................................................................................ 53 The Handling of the Media.......................................................................................................................... 61 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................................63 Chapter 5 – The Security Arrangements....................................................................................................66 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................66 The Chronology of Site Visits and Meetings ........................................................................................67 Security on 18 August 2011........................................................................................................................76 Relationship between the University and the Police .......................................................................77 Conclusions and Recommendations .......................................................................................................86 Chapter 6 – The Stairwell Incident................................................................................................................89 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................89 The Scene ............................................................................................................................................................91 The Confrontation............................................................................................................................................92 Whether the Police Had Used Unnecessary Force at the Parking Bay?.................................95 Inside the Stairwell..........................................................................................................................................97 Whether the Police Had Falsely Imprisoned the Three Students...............................................98 Whether HKU Security Guards Had Falsely Imprisoned Them...............................................103 Chapter 7 – Crisis Handling and Management....................................................................................106 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................106 Risk Assessment ...........................................................................................................................................106 General Crisis Management Issues.......................................................................................................108 The Steps Taken in the First 48 Hours ...............................................................................................109 Steps Taken After the First 48 Hours..................................................................................................119 Chapter 8 – Conclusion and Recommendations..................................................................................124 Overview...........................................................................................................................................................124 Invitation of National Leaders.................................................................................................................126 Governance and Management Issues..................................................................................................126 Core Values of the University...................................................................................................................130 Protocols for Ceremonial Events............................................................................................................130 The Establishment of a Protocol Officer ............................................................................................134 The Use of “the Chancellor’s Chair” and “the Ceremonial Chair”...........................................134 The Organisation of Events and Management Philosophy........................................................135 The Guest List and the Seating Arrangement of Guests .............................................................135 Guidelines for Negotiations with the Police in Future.................................................................136 Upgrading the HKU Security Unit..........................................................................................................138 Designated Protest Areas .........................................................................................................................139 Media and