University of Hong Kong: An Informal History (2 vols)

7. Chinese Studies

Chinese Studies Chinese Studies The buildings for Chinese studies put up between the Wars were the attempts of two benefactors to provide the classrooms and library that were intended to meet the charge laid upon the University by its Ordinance. that 'due provision shall be made for the study of Chinese language and literature'. TIu Tang Chi-ngong School Tang Chi-ngong had an inscription placed in the hall of the School of Chinese building he presented (seen here in an early photograph) to the effect that it was to enable the University to fulfil this obligation. Sir 'Villiam Peel opened it on the 28th September 193I. The gift drew a further S2oo.000 from the Chinese community for the endowment ofteaching in Chinese. 'Vith growth, the classrooms have been used for several purposes in the last twenty years, but the building itself retains its name. Sir Shiu-kin Tang now carries on his father's connection with the University: the main portion of the cost of constructing the first phase of Robert Black College. in Chinese architectural style, was borne by him. Tang Chi.ngong. proressor HJu Ti.shan, fint Proressor or Chinese. , ' • "~ ,,, " The Tang Chi-ngong School of Chinese. The Vice·Chancdlor with the Chinese Language School in '950. On his Icft is Professor Ma Kiam. one of whose 5Ons, Ma Meng, is now Professor of Chinese himself, (at the Ix/rtme lift of the bad: row), and the other, ~la Lin, now Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese Univenity of Hong Kong, (fourth from tlu lift). 47 The Fung Ping-shan Library Fung Ping-shan opened his generous purse to the University first ip '924 with a large donation for endowment and books. He followed this in celebration of his 70th birthday, by donating the funds for the erection and equipping of a Chinese library on Bonham Road close by the Main Building, by the condition arhis gift to be open to the reading public. He also gave a sum for its endowment. It was opened by Sir ''''illiam Peel on the 14th December 1932, after Fung Ping-shan had died. His widow added a funher handsome sum for the endowment. In a photograph taken in 1932 construction work on the building is shown Fung Ping-shan. Fung Ping-shan Chinese Library immedialely after eonslruction (eonverted to a Museum in 1968). in progress, and opposite is onc taken after it was opened. Following the Second World War a section of the Library was used to store and put on exhibitions of objects of Chinese art and archaeology, purchased) given, or on loan. When the two additional floors were added to the new Library building in 1968 the Chinese books were moved from the Fung Ping.shan building and located on one floor of the new Library building, still carrying the original name. With the concurrence of the Fung family the Chinese library building was then converted for a Chinese Museum, the condition that the public should have access being modified so that it is the Mweum which is now open for public we. Conslruction of the Fung Ping-shan Library in 1932. 49 5° The Fung Ping~shall Museum Sir Kenneth Fung Ping-fan inherits his father's benevolence and has continued the tradition of giving to the University. He and his family have assisted in improving the facilities and the collection in a number of ways. Over the Christmas holidays of 1974 the Museum suffered a large theft of 26 pieces, five bejng broken and discarded in the operation. In the summer of 1977 a Ming dynasty Cheng-te blue and white dish of great value, onc of the stolen pieces, was offered for sale in London. Among its unusual treasures is the largest collection of Neslorian Crosses in the world, purchased by Richard C. Lee on behalf of the Lee Hysan family and given to the Museum in 1961. The Curator explains special qualities in some of the porcelain exhibits. Or Michael Lau Wai-mai, the Curator, Or Rayson Huang, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Lofts, and Sir Kenneth Fung admiring the exhibits at the opening of the porcelain room in February 1977Main hall of the Museum. 5' 53 Five of the set of eighteen porcelain Lohans presented by Sir...