Bulletin Autumn 1989

the centre w ill continue to do all it can to provide research materials and assistance to China scholars from all countries. The locational superiority o f Hong Kong for research on China is already a cliche. It goes without saying that Hong Kong must try its best to maintain this dominant position. Yet the prospects of Hong Kong's return to China in 1997 presents an urgent task. It is even more necessary for Hong Kong people to deepen their own understanding of China. Since The Chinese University has taken charge of the centre, more and more local scholars and students are using its materials and facilities. This is thus gratifying to the centre's staff, although it means an increased workload at the same time. Throughout the years, USC has not been just a library. It is also a home for scholars from various countries to gather and exchange ideas. The centre's carefully fostered warm atmosphere and the oppor tunities it provides for academic and social intercourse have had a major impact on the evolution o f academic circles engaged in China research. Many scholars pass through the centre to keep abreast of new develop ments in research, to make new friends, and to rein force old ties. One of the University's goals in taking over the centre has been to promote this type of contact, and to increase exchanges between local and international scholars. In the short span since its reopening, the centre has already received dozens of international scholars, many o f whom worked on similar research topics with scholars at The Chinese University in the past. Some o f these scholars are now making plans for further cooperative efforts in the future. Luncheon talk is another traditional activity of the centre. Scholars using the centre are invited to present their latest research findings or offer their opinions on current issues. This tradition o f useful lunch time discussions w ill continue. To promote academic exchange on a larger scale, the centre w ill convene international con­ ferences. In September this year, the centre held a highly successful workshop on 'Political Order in Changing Societies: the Chinese Case', which dealt with aspects o f political changes in Chinese societies. In that workshop, Professor Ezra Vogel from Harvard University was invited to give a speech and other scholars from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong presented papers to air their views from different aspects. They included Dr. S.K. Lau, who spoke on 'Institutions without Leaders: Hong Kong Chinese' View o f Political Leadership'; Professor Joseph P.L. Jiang, on ‘The Development o f Competitive System in ROC on Taiwan'; Professor Ya-li Lu, on ‘Present Status and Future Prospect o f Taiwan and China Relations'; Professor M . Frolic, on ‘Lessons o f the Beijing Massacre: a Canadian Perspective'; Professor Brian Hook, on 'Aspects of Sino-British Relations in the Transition to the Retrocession o f Hong Kong: the Garrison and the Garrison Estate'. In the area of collection development, because o f the explosion of information, the centre cannot possibly collect all the materials that are available. While it is true that in the past the centre collected material from a wide spectrum, its greatest success nevertheless lies in the social science areas. The pride o f the centre is its collection founded on local newspapers and journals. The centre w ill continue to build on this strength in its future acquisition policy. The recent systematic purchase of local yearbooks and statistical data is one example. Looking to the future, the centre's importance w ill not diminish even as more opportunities for field research open up in China. Documentary analysis is a valuable tool for research in its own right. Added to this are continued improvements in collection development and research assistance, and the pro­ motion of research and academic exchange. For all of these reasons, the USC is likely to make significant contributions to research on China for many years to come. 16