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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO), together with the International Dunhuang Project of the British Library, yesterday (May 14, London time) held a seminar exploring the parallels between Hong Kong - the modern "Gateway to China" - and Dunhuang, one of the key stops on the ancient Silk Route and often also described as the "Gateway to China" of antiquity. Dunhuang has become a major and fruitful subject of study for historians due to archaeological finds in the area that have uncovered many manuscripts, printed texts, paintings, textiles and artefacts from all over the then known world.
The seminar, held at the British Library Conference Centre, is one of many events the London ETO is organising or supporting to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997. Comparing Hong Kong's role as a gateway to modern China with the similar role played by Dunhuang many centuries ago, is a very appropriate way to celebrate the anniversary.
Held at the British Library, the seminar featured presentations from three experts in the field: the Director of Dunhuang Academy, Professor Fan Jinshi; Director of the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Lee Chack-fan; and Director of the International Dunhuang Project at the British Library, Dr Susan Whitfield. There was also a special address by the Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Tsui Lap-chee, as the seminar also marked the centenary of the University of Hong Kong.
Introducing the event alongside the Chairman of the British Library Board, Baroness Blackstone, the Director-General of the London ETO, Mrs Agnes Allcock, said, "Today we look at the parallels between Dunhuang and Hong Kong as gateways to China - albeit more than a thousand years apart. Over the last hundred years, and increasingly since Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, companies from all over the world have come to Hong Kong to do business, and with our help, to do business with Mainland China.
"These companies no longer use camels or horses to cross the vast distance of China, they use Airbuses and Boeing 747s, or ocean-going container ships, but their objective is the same: to exchange goods and services with China through a convenient and business friendly gateway. Today that gateway is Hong Kong."
Further information on the International Dunhuang Project can be found at idp.bl.uk and on the Dunhuang Academy at enweb.dha.ac.cn/index.htm, and on the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole at www.jaotipe.hku.hk/ (Chinese only).
Ends/Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:27
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