Bulletin Number Three 1984

as a result. A group of nine faculty members visited Doushan Commune for the second time in June 1983. Information gathered centred around recent changes and current developments in the structure and functioning of the commune system. This will serve as the base-line for a new phase of topical studies (e.g. population control, health services, education, economic practices, rural-urban relations, etc.) that will shed light on various fronts of social change taking place in China. The scope of attention will therefore not be limited to Doushan Commune. As far as possible, comparisons will be made with other localities (e.g. Huancheng Commune of Xinhui County, which they visited in 1976-77). A second book on Doushan Commune will be prepared as a result of such studies. Research carried out on other topics under this Programme includes the following: 'Changes in social life in a small town' (Dr. Lau Chong-chor, Sociology; Dr. Chu Kim-yu, Geography; Mr. Ng Yan-tak, Geography); ‘The effect of China's policies on the process of urbanization' (Dr. Peter Man, Sociology); 'The inter-relation of China's population policy and sex ratio of new-bom babies in recent years' (Dr. Paul Kwong, Sociology). The Chinese Society Programme is also funding a project on the revision of the English-Chinese Glossary of Sociological Terms, undertaken by faculty members of the Department of Sociology. The Glossary, first published in 1980 by the Chinese University Press as a reference tool for facilitating the dissemination of sociological knowledge and methods through the Chinese language, has been well received locally and in China. The Programme on Overseas Chinese Archives The programme on Overseas Chinese Archives (hereafter called Archives) was established in September 1983 as a data collection centre and aims to promote better understanding towards Chinese communities abroad. The Archives is autonomous in regard to its research activities and financial arrangements. Its governing body (i.e. the Working Committee), under the Chairmanship of Professor G.H. Choa, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, consists of six members, four from this University and two from other institutions of higher learning in Hong Kong. The advisory body has twelve members selected from all over the world; most of them are distinguished figures who care about the Overseas Chinese affairs. The Archives adheres to its strict policy of non-political involvement and advocating no political ideologies. In building up its collection, it biases against no sources of data. It will collect private papers of successful Overseas Chinese in various fields, such as arts, education and medicine; publications, minutes and other records of Overseas Chinese Associations, including political parties and business organizations; newspapers and other mass media in Overseas Chinese communities; and government documents on Overseas Chinese affairs. At present, the Archives is compiling a central catalogue of materials on Overseas Chinese which are available in the University Library system at this University, the Zhongshan Library and Fung Ping Shan library of the University of Hong Kong. The information is also organized according to subjects such as economy, business, biography, association newsletters, history and politics. The Population Research Programme The Population Research Group was formed last year to coordinate population research efforts in the University. Convened by Dr. Paul Kwong of the Department of Sociology, the Programme on Population Research is building up a collection of research material and organizing a series of seminars on population-related topics. Some of the on-going and planned research topics are: 'Family structure and life cycle patterns in Chinese populations' (Dr. Paul Kwong, Sociology); 'Sex preference for children in China and Hong Kong' (Dr. Paul Kwong, Sociology); ‘The role and status of mothers of Chinese families in urban centres in East Asia' (Dr. Stephen Tang, Sociology); 'Family labour force participation patterns in Hong Kong' (Dr. Richard Wong, Economics; Drs. Stephen Tang and Paul Kwong, Sociology); 'Political impact on China's urban population policy' (Dr. K.S. Liao, Government and Public Administration); 'Agricultural development and population in China' (Dr. Richard Wong, Economics); 'Population density and migration in Hong Kong' (Drs. Y.K. Chan and Peter Man on density, Sociology; and Mr. Ng Yen-tak on migration, Geography). Affiliated Research Projects Individual faculty members affiliated with CCAS have carried out numerous research projects, the progress of which is as follows: Completed Projects Professor John Jones, Department of Social Work, A Study of Government Policy in Asian Countries Regarding Social Development, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 11