Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2006

Chinese Studies betterment of Chinese society — the core value of all serious traditional scholarships in Chinese civilization, or more literally “the betterment of mankind and pragmatism （經世致用） ”.’ To embody this approach, the major area is now building up thematic teams of research initiatives that involve different disciplines all threaded through by a Chinese context and significance to Chinese society. For the time being, there are teams focusing on language and literature in cross- cultural communication, interdisciplinary ethics, state and local communities/regional development, public health and society, the Rule of Law, China in global economy, among others. More initiatives will be generated by Chinese Studies researchers at CUHK in the near future. It is anticipated that some will evolve into key research projects with significant impact on Chinese society. The University is famed for its long bilingual tradition. Prof. So observes that bilingualism is crucial for the development of Chinese Studies and the promotion of cross-cultural understanding, particularly in a global age. In many decades to come, only a small fraction of the Chinese-speaking population are likely to acquire a second language to understand things outside the Chinese language world. Equally only a small fraction of the world’s non-Chinese-speakers will master Chinese to the extent that they have direct understanding of the Chinese language world. Between them will be a gap of cross-cultural understanding to fill. ‘Truly bilingual campuses are rare in China and the West. This gives CUHK a special mission. Insofar as we are truly bilingual, we can do what many top institutions in China and the West cannot. In this regard, New Chinese Studies at CUHK can make major contributions bothwithin the Chinese- speaking world and beyond.’ Endowed Professorships of Chinese Studies The area has invited Bei Dao, considered by many to be China’s foremost contemporary poet, to join CUHK as Professor of Humanities. The poet may offer classes in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, and the Department of Translation, and organize literary workshops of international significance. Other eminent academics will be invited to join the team in a similar capacity. The area will also raise funds for an endowment to support more faculty appointments and major projects such as the Chinese Ancient Texts Database and the digitization of the University’s rare collections on China like those at the Universities Service Centre for China Studies. Universality The major area’s broad foci range from humanities and politics, to business, medicine and law. ‘Donors may choose to support the area they are most interested in. The betterment of Chinese society is our fundamental concern, but the outcomes of our projects will also address concerns outside the Chinese world. What can be done for China in this global age will no doubt have enormous reference value for the rest of the world,’ explains Prof. So. The online version of the Chinese Studies brochure is available at www.cuhk.edu.hk/v6/ en/cuhk/strategicplan/fivemajor_cs.html .