One of Australia's most popular universities for international students rejected plans for an on-campus 'Lennon Wall' in support of Hong Kong protesters because it would have escalated tensions with students from mainland China.

Students from Hong Kong at Curtin University asked administration for a public space where supporters could leave messages "of encouragement and solidarity" and "advocating for freedom, democracy and universal suffrage".

Lennon walls, named in honour of Beatle and peace campaigner John Lennon, have become symbolic of recent protests in Hong Kong. Credit:Chiang Ying-ying

"This wall is very symbolic to Hong Kongers as it was also set up during [the] 2014 Umbrella Movement, and of course, also now in every district in Hong Kong during [the] 2019 Anti-Extradition Bill Movement," the request to the university read.

But an email sent by the university's corporate relations office and received by the university's student guild outlined the reasons why they "will not endorse the establishment of a Lennon Wall".