Academic Huang Jing has appealed his expulsion from Singapore by the government. (Screenshot photo: LKYSPP)

Singapore’s revocation of Chinese-American academic Huang Jing’s permanent residency over alleged attempts to influence foreign policy was a “rare and odd” move, reported Chinese state-owned newspaper Global Times.

The newspaper, which is often seen as a barometer of the Chinese government’s views, cited professor Zhu Lijia as saying that such a public expulsion of an academic was rare as it usually applied to diplomatic personnel.

Zhu also questioned how a professor could influence Singapore’s policy, and said the expulsion was ironic since Singapore takes pride in its freedom of speech and open-mindedness.

Global Times also quoted talk show host Yang Rui as saying that Huang’s speech must have “antagonised” the government.

Separately, Huang has filed an appeal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) against his and his wife’s revoked permanent residency status.

According to The Straits Times, Huang said he filed an appeal on Monday morning and will wait for a response from MHA on the outcome. Huang will stay on in Singapore until his appeal has been heard.

Huang and his wife Shirley Yang Xiuping were born in China but are now US citizens. According to media reports, they have lived in Singapore for nine years and have bought property here.

Huang’s profile has been taken off the website of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. The National University of Singapore has also suspended the academic without pay.

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