Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1991

o f living trapping one another into a vicious down­ ward spiral. The historical development and the fate o f the people now urgently ca ll upon the next generations of Chinese people to use the little time that remains to strive for the modernization o f China. The first priority must be the modernization o f the economy, and o f science and technology, in order to eradicate poverty and to uplift the backward culture, in order that we may become a country strong and prosperous, w ith a flourishing culture, for only then can we in a fundamental way arrest the population explosion and the damage being done to the environ­ ment, and be able to stand proudly on our own feet among the nations o f the world. For an economically backward country to mod­ ernize, it is necessary to go through a stage o f learning and transferring. We have to acquire knowledge in science and in production technology and skills, to accumulate capital, to get to know the market, to improve management and to foster the development o f talent. This is a transitional stage, for our ultimate goal must be, through the digestion and improvement o f all that is acquired from abroad, and through research and development, to reach a stage where we can innovate and be independent. I see that Hong Kong and Taiwan have already embarked on a march towards this stage. Innovation means novelty and inventions in principles, design, materials, pro­ duction and management, and all this requires a mas­ sive and strong team in research and development to work continuously to elevate the standard o f the scientific knowledge on the part of the production and management personnel. Independence means the ability to engage in mutually beneficial exchange and trade w ith other nations, be they in capital, technology, resources or markets, without any one-sided reliance, and to be able to enter the international economic arena as one among equals. Independence also means the protection of resources and the environment, so as not to leave any serious problems for our children and grandchildren, and also the achievement o f a steady long-term growth. Undoubtedly the develop­ ment o f science and technology and the widespread utilization in the economic sphere o f the fruits they bear are key ingredients for realizing the goal of graduating from learning to innovation, from transfer to independence. Conditions Conducive to the Develop­ ment of Science and Technology Through long and incessant efforts, science and technology in China now has a respectable base. The experience o f history tells us that the develop­ ment o f science and technology requires a good environment and certain conditions; these include an enlightened and stable political scene, adequate financial resources, a democratic academic atmos­ phere, encouragement o f thorough investigations, and opportunities for broad international collaboration and exchange. Regrettably, Chinese society does not yet possess all these necessary attributes. As reform and opening up deepen and take root, as the fruits o f science and technology are increasingly used in production and in daily life, more and more people are coming to appreciate the importance o f science and technology. The understanding and support o f society at large w ill in time provide a better environ­ ment and conditions conducive to the development of science and technology, and these w ill help to push forward the progress o f science and technology in the years to come. Looking Forward The world is rapidly entering an age o f infor­ mation and intelligence, and the value and function o f knowledge in social development w ill become further enhanced. Grasping and being able to utilize knowledge, excelling in innovation and invention, these are the attributes that a people must possess in order to play a leading role in the world o f tomorrow. The Chinese people are known for their d ili­ gence and bravery, and also for their high intelligence and wisdom, as witnessed by the longest civilization in human history that they have created and kept alive. We have so many bright and hard working young people, and such excellent institutions o f higher learning and o f research as The Chinese University o f Hong Kong, that I see no reason why Chinese science and technology cannot develop rapidly; in this we have hope and faith. Contiguous to China on one side and facing the rest o f the world on the other, Hong Kong, with its prosperous economy and sophisticated culture, has both unique endowments and an imperative moral responsibility to develop science and technology, and to promote the cause o f the modernization o f China. Dear graduates, on your shoulders rests the historic responsibility to create a bright future for China. We have reason to believe that in the next cen­ tury, through the effort o f you all and o f succeeding generations o f young people like yourselves, China w ill eventually catch up with the rest o f the world. □ Translated by Prof. Kenneth Young 42ND CONGREGATION 12