CUHK academic who allegedly hid marital status cleared of indecent assault

An associate professor at China's University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been acquitted of charges of indecent assault against a fellow scholar from mainland China, according to prosecutors. The case, which began in July, involved two alleged incidents on May 21, 2025, at the university's art museum and later at a restaurant in Ma On Shan.

The 38-year-old, Peng Peng, denied the charges, stating he never mentioned his marital status or fatherhood. Prosecutors alleged that the pair had a history of sexual innuendo and that Peng wrongly believed the complainant had consented to being touched. However, Magistrate Raymond Wong Kwok-fai rejected these claims, stating that the prosecution could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the assault occurred.

The magistrate noted that the complainant did not raise the issue with police during her initial complaint, and that both parties had been mutually attracted. Despite the acquittal, the magistrate denied Peng's application for costs on the second charge, ruling that he brought suspicion upon himself by physically touching the complainant.