Tsui denies (否認) political pressure behind exit (note 1)

Tsui denies (否認) political pressure behind exit (note 1)

Thursday, October 27, 2011 p.4

Tsui Lap-chee has rejected (駁回) suggestions he is stepping down (note 2) as University of Hong Kong vice chancellor (校長) because of political pressure.

Tsui was accompanied (陪著) by university council chairman Leong Che- hung when he met reporters to explain his decision not to seek a third five-year term in office - after first taking over the job in 2002.

Tsui said as a geneticist (遺傳學家), he understands succession and evolution (note 3) are important to allow an institution like HKU to rise to the next level (note 4).

"Life is like a tube (地下隧道) . You have things going in and coming out. That's life," he said.

"If that process stops, it's not very good and there's no life. To maintain the life of this university, we must have in and out. Therefore, 10 years is a good time."

Reminded (提醒) of his February statement about being interested in another term, the 60-year- old clarified (澄清) he had only spoken of being willing to stay on if the council asked him to.

Leong said he has no conflict with Tsui and that he was saddened (傷感) to receive Tsui's letter on Tuesday. "My heart sank. The vice chancellor has done a lot for the university and the community." he said, adding that finding a suitable replacement (接班人) would be difficult.

However, many HKU students are convinced Tsui came under pressure (note 5) to quit after the controversial security arrangements for Vice Premier Li Keqiang's August 18 visit.

"His explanation isn't convincing (令人心服)," said arts student Fu Ka-yeung.

Samuel Li Shing-hong, the student detained by police during Li 's visit, said it would be very sad if Tsui were forced to leave.

Democratic Party lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong said Tsui and Leong will explain the situation before the Legislative Council.

From good to better English:

(note 1) exit=退場；離去 (To make one's exit; depart)。exit 也解做出口 (A passage or way out)。例句: an emergency exit in Victor’s building=Victor工作的大廈的緊急出口。Exit也是死亡的意思。

(note 2) stepping down=退下來。Step=跨入，踏進。Will you step inside=請進來。Step aside =走到一旁；讓給別人。Step back =後退。Bo Bo is old enough to step down from the office= Bo Bo年紀夠老該退休了。Step on the gas =加快(汽車)馬力。Step out of line=採取獨立和不合規矩的行動。

(note 3) succession and evolution=接班和演變。Succeed=繼承，承受；接連。Summer succeeds spring=春去夏來。succeed in life=發跡。A succeeds B as Premier=A君接替B君擔任總理。Julian has been successful so far=Julian到現在為止很成功。

(note 4) rise to the next level=達至另一高峰。Rise=出頭，高升 (To attain a higher status, rank, or condition): rise 的同義詞有advance, ascend, climb, mount等。 go up the ladder=升職。rise above = 凌驾他人, 克服。 rise from the dead = 复活。rise to the bait =上钩, 入圈套 。rise to the occasion= 应付自如。 rise up against= 起来反对。

(note 5) came under pressure=受壓。

Victor’s View: The fact that the university council of HKU didn’t ask Professor Tsui to stay on indicates that politics plays a key role in his exit.

(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)