The University of Hong Kong has decided not to appoint a human rights lawyer to one of its senior positions, amid claims of interference from China.
Johannes Chan was rejected even though he had been recommended as pro-vice chancellor by recruitment consultants.
He was associated with last year's pro-democracy protests that brought Hong Kong's streets to a standstill.
The BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says the move has sparked fears about academic freedom in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's mini-constitution guarantees it a high degree of autonomy from mainland China, including academic freedom and an independent judiciary.
But the university's governing council
has many members perceived as being loyal to the Chinese government, our correspondent adds.
Prof Chan was a close colleague of Benny Tai, a fellow academic at the University of Hong Kong, who initiated last year's Occupy Central demonstrations.
The movement evolved into the pro-democracy protests last year that paralysed Hong Kong streets for more than two months.
Both men have been heavily criticised by media loyal to the government in Beijing.
Speaking before the vote, Prof Chan told Reuters news agency: "They are trying to send a message that if someone is sympathetic to Occupy Central... there will be repercussions."
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