The First Six Years 1963-69

I t is a source o f wonder that the Colony could survive ， let alone grow prosperous ， w ith such meager natural resources and such an abnormally swollen population. There are, however ， several sources o f strength. I t is a free port, dedicated to the pre cepts o f free enterprise and the righ t o f the ind ividua l to make his own way in life. I t enjoys stability under a forward looking admin istration and the rule o f law. Hong Kong is above all the product o f a dynamic, progressive people whose resourcefulness, boundless energy and resilience have enabled them to overcome the many difficulties inherent in the economic system and po litica l change characteristic o f Asia. Hong Kong has indeed come a long way, particularly in the past five years. Previously identified as an entre pot, a manufacturer o f low-grade products made possible by cheap labour and a bargain centre for shoppers, it is now known as a highly industrialized society whose sophisticated, qua lity products easily rank w ith the best in the world. A t the same time, Hong Kong has overcome critical internal disturbances and a serious revaluation crisis and in the process has gained more self-confiden- ce than ever. I t may well be said that Hong Kong is fast reaching maturity. Education has played an important part in the community's development. As in commerce and industry, the Hong Kong people, w ith the aid o f their Government, are constantly working for expansion o f educational facilities and opportunities to ensure a better tomorrow. The establishment o f The Chinese University is a direct example o f this constant quest for improvement. Historical Background The Chinese University o f Hong Kong originated in three post-secondary colleges established to carry on the Chinese trad i tion o f learning in Hong Kong after the change in the political scene on the Mainland. Prior to that time ， most Chinese students from Hong Kong ， as well as from other parts o f the world, returned to Mainland universities for their higher education. A fter 1949， many scholars and teachers from these universities left China. Some o f them founded new institutions in Hong Kong ， inc lud ing : New Asia College—Founded in 1949 by scholars from the national universities o f China Chung Chi College—Founded in 1951 by scholars from the Chris tian universities in China United College—Founded in 1956 by scholars from five small ， locally-oriented colleges first established in Can ton. 2