Chinese University of Hong Kong economist apologizes for 'women marrying for money' talk
Quick Look
Terence Chong Tai-leung, an associate professor of economics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, apologized after his talk on partner choice sparked student backlash for allegedly making gender-biased remarks by framing women's marriage decisions as a cost-benefit analysis of financial gain.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Terence Chong Tai-leung delivered a talk titled 'How to Invest in One's Life' at the university bi-assembly, during which he presented slides including one on 'Economics of Partner Choice' with the heading 'The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Women Marrying for Money.'
A prominent economist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong has apologised after he analysed women “marrying for money” in a talk on campus that led students to accuse him of making gender-biased remarks.
The backlash erupted shortly after Terence Chong Tai-leung, an associate professor of economics, delivered his talk about how to invest in one’s life at the university bi-assembly on Tuesday.
According to posts on social media platform Threads, slides presented by Chong included one titled “Economics of Partner Choice” that contained the heading: “The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Women Marrying for Money.”
The content sparked outrage among students, who accused the academic of reducing women’s partner criteria to purely material gain, with critics slamming the framing as gender-biased, objectifying and unfair.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Chinese University of Hong Kong will issue an official statement or implement gender sensitivity training following the incident.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific actions will the university take in response to the incident?
- Will Terence Chong Tai-leung face any formal disciplinary measures?
- How have other faculty members responded to the controversy?




