A section of the History Writers display. Books and other printed material from the archives throw light on different aspects of Hong Kong’s past. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Recording the centuries-old roots of Hong Kong to inform and educate, and to reflect and learn, is a challenging undertaking for scholars, researchers, historians, and writers who labor for years unearthing historical tales.
History has gained renewed attention on the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region this year in the context of deepening the understanding of the nation and strengthening the bonds. These ties run deep.
The recently published Hong Kong Chronicles, complied by Our Hong Kong Foundation, records that immigrants began to arrive in Hong Kong in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The Hakka people began arriving during the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Although small in scale, publishers continue to tell the story of the ancestors of immigrants, in a city “named after the sweetness of spring water”. Hong Kong Chronicles notes that “the earliest recorded use is found in the historical document of Yue Daji,” an official record of Guangdong.
Visitors look at posters at a booth during the annual book fair in Hong Kong on July 20, 2022. (KIN CHEUNG / AP)
History has gained renewed attention on the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region this year in the context of deepening the understanding of the nation and strengthening the bonds
“Local publishers are keen to publish books about Hong Kong’s history. It is a big subject,” said Edmund Chan, the acting director of the City University of Hong Kong Press.
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Chan is also the director of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Publishing Professionals Society.
About a quarter of the city’s books published annually are Hong Kong history books, Chan said. “World history comprises about 30 percent of the annual output of all books in Hong Kong.”
He said there is no specific data on history books published in the city.
A search of government records of books and periodicals published, printed or produced in the final quarter of 2021 revealed six history titles on Hong Kong and the country.
Among universities, there are three big publishers: the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the City University of Hong Kong.
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Chan sees an interest among young people to understand more about Hong Kong’s roots.
The city’s history, including its economic development as well as social and political story, stretches back 7,000 years.
“One gets the impression that young people are eager to learn about the early history of Hong Kong. In the 25 years after 1997, there is an interest in learning about the period. So this is a good time for us to talk about contemporary Hong Kong history, modern history, as well as history post-1997.”
“The interest among the young people is diverse. Some youngsters are eager to know about the British characteristics of Hong Kong history, the buildings and cultural relics, and so on. Secondly, there are more and more students who are eager to know more about Hong Kong’s contemporary history.”
A homage to Hong Kong’s culinary traditions. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Referring to publishing of history books in general, Chan said, “Scholarly publishers, as always with publications that have gone through a rigorous peer reviewed process, will help ensure the quality of the manuscripts.”
He suggests a few titles for young people to read up on history.
In the 25 years after 1997, there is an interest in learning about the period. So this is a good time for us to talk about contemporary Hong Kong history, modern history, as well as history post-1997
Edmund Chan, acting director of the CityU Press
“Students who are interested in colonial history may find Professor John Carroll’s A Concise History of Hong Kong a very good reference, while in Chinese, Professor Lau Chi-pang’s A Brief History of Hong Kong will be a good add to the reading list,” Chan said.
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At last month’s Hong Kong Book Fair, CityU showcased some history titles.
Among them was a book that captures developments of legal history of Hong Kong. It was authored by a legal scholar and educator, Professor Albert Chen.
“City University of Hong Kong has published a number of books on the developments in Hong Kong’s legal history in English and Chinese. The common law is evolving and the law is dynamic. At CityU, we are doing more publications in this area. Last year, we released a book by Professor Albert Chen that captures the developments of Hong Kong’s legal history.”
In the book, Changing Legal Orders in Hong Kong and Mainland China, Chen, who is also a member of the Basic Law Committee, covers the practice of “one country, two systems”; tradition and modernity in Chinese law; and constitutionalism in Asia. He explores the evolution in the legal orders in the legal, political, and social contexts.
All history titles, in totality, are a great reference through which to witness Hong Kong’s evolution.