HKBU recently received an additional HK$1 million donation from The Jao Studies Foundation (the Foundation) in support of the Collected Works of Jao Tsung-i: XuanTang Anthology project launched by the Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology (JAS). Together with the generous donation of HK$2.5 million made by the Jao family and the Foundation in 2019, a total of HK$3.5 million has been committed to this meaningful initiative.

The Collected Works of Jao Tsung-i: XuanTang Anthology is the first-ever project to translate the scholarly works of Professor Jao Tsung-i, GBM, into English with the aim of bridging different Sinological traditions while consolidating the international status of “Jao Studies” as a thriving and vibrant field of research. It selects and translates a wide range of topics from Chinese into English in fields as varied as the study of oracle bone inscriptions and excavated manuscripts, ancient cosmology, classical literature, discourses on dynastic legitimacy and the transformative power of rituals and music, and Dunhuang studies.

An addendum signing ceremony was held on 16 April 2021. It was officiated by Professor Lee Chack Fan, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Management Board of the Foundation; Professor Ping-kong Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor; and Dr. Adam Schwartz, Associate Director of the JAS. Ms. Angeline Yiu and Ms. Veronica Yiu, Permanent President and Permanent Administrative Director respectively of the Foundation, witnessed the signing.

At the ceremony, Professor Lee Chack Fan said that arts and cultural exchange is one of the focuses of the future development of Hong Kong according to the 14th Five-Year Plan. The translation project is a meaningful initiative which will greatly enhance the academic exchange and research strengths. Professor Lee also expressed his appreciation to the JAS for its great contributions to the project.

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Adam Schwartz expressed his deep gratitude to the Jao Family and the Foundation for their generous support for the University. Dr. Schwartz said that the translation project has steadily progressed despite the pandemic. The JAS will strive to complete the translation with the goal of achieving readable, reliable and authoritative translations.

Guests and HKBU representatives attending the ceremony included Professor Jao’s family members Dr. Tang Wai Hung and Ms. Michelle Cheong; Mrs. Mary Suen and Mrs. Susan So, BBS, Honorary Permanent Presidents of the HKBU Foundation; Mrs. Fung Bao Junping, Chairman of the Fung Sun Kwan Chinese Arts Foundation; Mr. John Ng Chor Yuk and Ms. Candy Kwong, General Director and Vice Bureau Chief respectively of the Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong; as well as Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation.