Bulletin Autumn 1978

Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for Fong Shu Chuen Building The University held a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the Fong Shu Chuen Building on 28th September, 1978 at which Dr. Choh-Ming Li, Vice- Chancellor, officiated. Mr. Fong Shu Chuen, a retired businessman, laid the foundation stone for the building to be named after him, and his son, Mr. Fong Yun-wah, delivered a speech on behalf of the donor, The Fong Shu Fook Tong and Group of Companies. The three-storey Fong Shu Chuen Building, to be erected opposite the University Railway Station with a total floor area of 10,000 sq. ft., will house the New Asia Yale-in-China Chinese Language Centre and offices of the International Asian Studies Programme. Construction work will commence towards the end of 1978. The building cost of about HK$1.5 million will be entirely met by The Fong Shu Fook Tong and Group of Companies. Summary of Speech by Mr. Fong Yun-wah, M.B.E., J .P. A few months ago, I was very interested to learn from Professor Ma Lin that The Chinese University of Hong Kong would like to have a building for its Language Centre, whose activities would expand. To me, this is a very worthwhile endeavour. When I discussed this with my father, he too shared my enthusiasm for such a project. In another two days, my family will be celebrating my father's 80th birth- day. We have been looking around for a suitable gift for him to mark this happy occasion. And my father indicated that a contribution towards the construction of the Language Centre Building would be most appropriate. Since neither he nor I had had the chance to study in a university, he thought that a donation to help the University to educate our young people would be very meaningful. Furthermore, with a building of its own, the Language Centre of The Chinese University would contribute more to the promotion of cultural interflow and international friendship. After a visit to the site for the Centre, we promptly pledged our whole-hearted support. Today, we are all very glad to witness the laying of the foundation stone for this building. If it had not been for the praiseworthy vision of the University to expand its Language Centre, it would have been impossible for me to find such an ideal present for my father. And if the Vice-Chancellor had not kindly allowed me to speak to you today, I would not have been able to express in public on behalf of all members of my family our love and respect for my father. We are especially glad that because of this grand and jovial occasion, my father is able to have here a gathering of our esteemed friends to share these happy moments with him. Words fail me in expressing our happiness. Finally, on behalf of my family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. C. M. Li, Professor Ma Lin and the Council of the University. We wish the Vice-Chancellor happiness and good health in his many years of well-earned retirement and I sincerely hope all our friends present to-day will find time to attend my father's birthday banquet on 30th September. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I wish you all good health, the kind of health my father has always enjoyed. Thank you! From left: Professor Ma, Mr. Fong Shu Chuen, Dr. Li, and Mr. Fong Yun-wah 20