Graduation ceremonies tend to be predictable rites of passage for students the world over.
But in Hong Kong, students at the Academy for Performing Arts have
turned an otherwise staid event into potent political theatre.
Dressed in black caps and purple gowns, about a quarter of
the graduating students - who study music, dance, drama, film and
television - took the opportunity last week to send a clear message of
discontent to Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong's top leader, who was on stage
officiating.
One student showed him her middle finger.
Another got down on her knees asking him to resign.
Yet another graduate bent over to show Mr Leung his backside, though he did keep his trousers on.
A group of students then held up placards spelling out
demands for universal suffrage, which has been promised but not granted
to the seven million residents of this former British colony.
Suffrage key
Tam Lok Hang, 22, did not join the group protest, but he gave
Mr Leung a thumbs-down sign to loud applause when he walked onstage.
CY Leung's popularity is at an all-time low
He told BBC News he had shouted: "689 step down! I want universal suffrage."
'689' has become a pejorative nickname for the chief executive, who is commonly known as CY.
It refers to the number of votes Mr Leung received last year from an elite committee of electors largely loyal to Beijing.
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