Chinese University of Hong Kong suspends professor caught posing as pupil, photographing pupils in Sydney

2026-03-11 - 11:56

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has suspended a professor who was arrested in Australia after posing as a student at a boys’ school and taking photos of its pupils. The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Photo: GovHK. Johnny Li, a professor at CUHK Business School, was arrested at a park opposite Sydney Grammar School, an elite boys’ school, on March 6, according to Australian media. 10 News Sydney, citing court documents, reported that the 46-year-old was wearing the grammar school’s uniform when he was spotted by a teacher, who “proceeded to extract the accused from the crowd of high school boys” before alerting school staff. Johnny Li, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s business school. Photo: CUHK Business School. Li pleaded guilty to stalking and trespassing and was sentenced last week to an 18-month conditional release order. Under the New South Wales judicial system, such orders are an alternative to imprisonment, allowing a court to impose certain conditions on the accused. In an emailed statement to HKFP on Tuesday, CUHK said it had “suspended the duties of the concerned faculty member and will establish a committee to investigate the incident in accordance with relevant procedures.” The university places “great importance” on the incident, and any breach of conduct will be handled severely, it added. A video of his arrest published by Australian media showed Li – dressed in Sydney Grammar School’s uniform – kneeling on the ground while being confronted. According to 10 News Sydney, Li, who was on holiday in Australia, visited Sydney Grammar and three other top high schools in the city to purchase uniforms and take photos of at least 36 students. Sydney Grammar School in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Sydney Grammar School, via Facebook. Police seized the uniforms during a search of his hotel room. Li reportedly said he liked dressing up as a schoolboy and taking photos as a “hobby.” The news outlet said he had already flown back to Hong Kong.