Newsletter No. 20

-No.20 July 91 The Universities Service Centre - a World Famous China Research Centre from 1st July 1991, a permanent part of the University What K i nd of 'Service' Does I t Render? Near the side door of the University Library hangs an inconspicuous bronze plaque, bearing the inscription, 'Universities Service Centre'; an unlikely sounding name for what is actually a world famous research centre. For nearly a quarter of a century this research centre has been an oasis for those carrying out research into modern China. By the early eighties, over 200 books had been published following research at the centre, many of which have since become required reading for other researchers in the field. A Landmark i n the Hi s t ory of China Research Established in Hong Kong in 1963 ， the centre symbolized the dawning of a new age in China research. This had been at a low ebb since the deterioration of China -US relations following the Korean War and the ‘McCarthyite persecution'. American scholars conducting research into Chinese affairs at that time risked being suspected of having communist leanings and might become subject to investigation by the FBI. However, by the end of the fifties, a group of China scholars possessing the vision and foresight to recognize the future importance of such a great country decided to set up a Chinese research centre and launch a new phase in China research. Since it was impossible at that time to enter China for research purposes, the next best choice of location for the research centre was Hong Kong. Eventually, through the persistence of the group of scholars, support was obtained from various foundations to establish the Universities Service Centre in Argyle Street, Kowloon. Many famous scholars in the field of China research have made use of the facilities of the centre, including Lucian Pye, Michael Oksenberg, Ezra Vogal, as well as younger researchers such as Andrew Nathan, Martin Whyte, Suzanne Pepper and Andrew Walder. In the early days of the centre, researchers spent many a long hot summer in the two-storey building on Argyle Street, using materials from the centre and interviewing immigrants fromChina. The centre attracted China scholars from all over the world throughout the seventies, and it soon became a valuable meeting place. Strong bonds were formed amongst this close-knit community of China scholars, many of which have been maintained up to the present day. A great many important scholarly works were published during the seventies and early eighties which gave the world a clearer picture of China. The contribution of the Universities Service Centre in this respect cannot be underestimated It provided the base from which valuable indepth research on China was carried out, and where Chinese immigrants bearing news were eagerly interviewed and their stories analysed. Apart from the academic significance of its work, the centre has also contributed to a deeper understanding of China, and this in turn has helped many countries to determine their China policies. Many of the centre's past scholars have gone on to work for their respective governments - some to become advisers on Chinese affairs, others to become diplomats. Stephen Fitzgerald, for example, became the first ambassador of Australia to Beijing, while Sir David Wilson became Governor of Hong Kong. Both are former researchers at the Universities Service Centre.