HKU unveils "Microcosm of an Era: Ho Kai, HKU, and the Voices that Ushered in Modern China" exhibition
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) presents the exhibition Microcosm of an Era: Ho Kai, HKU, and the Voices that Ushered in Modern China. Featuring a collection of rare books and bookplates curated and generously donated by Chairman of Befar Group, collector Mr Yu Jiang, the exhibition invites visitors to explore a transformative era of modern Chinese history, characterised by the convergence of East and West and the transition from the traditional to the modern.
Professor Zhang Xiang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, attended the exhibition's opening ceremony and remarked, "This year marks the 160th anniversary of Dr Sun Yat-sen's birth. Looking back on the shared history of Sir Kai Ho Kai, Dr Sun Yat-sen, and HKU at this significant juncture allows us to appreciate the profound meaning of this exhibition. In an era of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence, we must cherish the preservation and transmission of the humanities and history all the more. Only by integrating the arts and sciences, and blending the past with the present, can we truly lead humanity towards a better future."
At the heart of this exhibition is an exploration of the complex and profound legacy of Sir Kai Ho Kai. While often referred to in HKU's history as a "founding pioneer" or the "founder of the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese" (the predecessor of HKU), Ho's intellectual impact runs far deeper. Notably, he played a pivotal role as a key "behind-the-scenes force" during the early stages of Dr Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary career.
The crown jewel of this donation is an exceedingly rare, precious original copy of Xin Zheng Zhen Quan (A True Explanation of New Policies), co-authored by Ho and his close friend Woo Lai-woon. The book became a vital resource for both reformers and revolutionaries in late Qing China. The ideals articulated by Ho in this volume paved the way for HKU to become a pioneering institution that placed equal gravity on both Chinese and Western scholarship.
The exhibition will be officially open to the public from 22 July to 5 August 2026 at the Ground Floor Lobby of the Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU. It will subsequently be relocated to the HKU Main Library for an extended run.
