Centre for Social and Political Development Studies

Lecture Series on “Islands Scattering Around Hong Kong”
（「島嶼棋佈全香港」講座系列）

14:30–17:15   |   23 & 30 November, 7 & 14 December 2024   |   Hong Kong Museum of History & Online

Speakers

Islands⠂Pirate⠂Archaeologist (23 November 2024)
“Trade Island (Ilha da Veniaga)” in the Portuguese’s Writings
Prof. Guoping Jing
Researcher, Macaology Institute, Jinan University, China

The Legend of Cheung Po Tsai
Prof. Kwok-kin Siu
Part-time Professor, Department of Chinese Literature,
Hong Kong Chu Hai College

F. S. Drake and the Archaeology of Hong Kong
Prof. Kam-wing Fung
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Chu Hai College

Lighthouse⠂Captain⠂Conservationists (30 November 2024)

Lighthouse Heritages in Times
Dr Steve H. Ching
Co-Founder, Lighthouse Heritage Research Connections

Mr Richard W. L. Wong
Researcher, Lighthouse Heritage Research Connections

Digital Storytelling: Waglan Island Lighthouse
Mr Richard W. L. Wong
Researcher, Lighthouse Heritage Research Connections

Mr Anthony K. H. Leung
Researcher, Lighthouse Heritage Research Connections

Dr Steve H. Ching
Co-Founder, Lighthouse Heritage Research Connections

Story of Charles Thirlwell: My Childhood Days in Green Island
Ms Catherine Thirlwell
Daughter of Mr Charles Thirlwell

Mine⠂Magnate⠂Pioneer (7 December 2024)

Tianhua Mining Company of Silver Mine Bay:
Modern Investment Venture and Technology in Late Qing South China
Prof. Elizabeth Y. Y. Sinn
Honorary Professor, Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong

Story of a Self-made Entrepreneur:
The Acclaimed Shipping Magnate HUI Oi Chow and His Family
Prof. Man-kong Chow
Professor of Practice, Department of Data Science,
City University of Hong Kong

A Patriot: Multi-dimensional Review of Cha Chi Ming’s Legendary
Dr Victor Zheng
Associate Director (Executive), HKIAPS, CUHK

Village⠂People⠂Monk (14 December 2024)
Pak Mong, Tai Ho and Ngau Kwu Long: The Three Hamlets of Mui Wo
Dr Joseph S. P. Ting
Adjunct Professor, Department of History, CUHK

A Preliminary Study of the Stonecutters Island’s Civil Facilities and Activities
before the Pacific War
Mr Koon-yiu Ma
Honorary Research Fellow, HKIAPS

The Will of Po Lin Monastery:
Venerable Fat Ho Invigorates the Secular World through Education
Dr Lee-man Choy
Director, Fermiland Music Centre

Co-Organizers
Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, CUHK
Pan Sutong Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Policy Research Institute, Lingnan University
China Economic Research Programme, Lingnan University

In association with
Hong Kong Museum of History

Supported by
Hong Kong Higher Education Convergence
NT West Elder Academies Cluster

Building on the success of a previous lecture series on the Kowloon-Canton Railway, this series delved into the rich history, culture, and ecology of Hong Kong’s lesser-known islands. Prominent scholars and experts guided participants through these fascinating stories, enriching their understanding of Hong Kong’s island communities.

The lecture series comprised four sessions held over four weekends. In the first session, Islands⠂Pirate⠂Archaeologist, Prof. Guoping Jin shed light on the “Trade Island (Ilha da Veniaga)” in Portuguese writings. Following Prof. Jin’s presentation, Prof. Kwok-kin Siu unveiled the legend of Cheung Po Tsai and examined pirate activities and maritime trade along the coastal areas of Guangdong. Lastly, Prof. Kam-wing Fung evaluated F. S. Drake’s contributions to the archaeology of Hong Kong.

During the second session, Lighthouses⠂Fishermen⠂Conservationists, Dr Steve H. Ching and Mr Richard W. L. Wong gave an introduction to the role of lighthouses over time. Mr Anthony K. H. Leung, Mr Richard W. L. Wong, and Dr Steve H. Ching used a digital approach to tell the history of Waglan Island Lighthouse. Lastly, Ms Catherine Thirlwell related the story of her father, Charles Thirlwell, who was the keeper of Green Island Lighthouse.

The third session, titled Mine⠂Magnate⠂Pioneer, began with Prof. Elizabeth Y. Y. Sinn’s exploration of Tianhua Mining Company of Silver Mine Bay, which gave a glimpse of Modern Investment Ventures and Technology in Late Qing South China. Following this, Dr Man-kong Chow reflected on the Acclaimed Shipping Magnate Hui Oi Chow and His Family. To conclude the lecture series, Dr Victor W. T. Zheng introduced the legacy left by Dr Cha Chi Ming, who transformed a remote corner of Lantau Island into Discovery Bay, a key community in the island.

The final session of the lecture series, Village⠂People⠂Monk, Dr Joseph S. P. Ting examined the history and development of Pak Mong, Tai Ho and Ngau Kwu Long. Mr Koon-yiu Ma presented his preliminary study of the Stonecutters Island’s civil Facilities and activities before the Pacific War. Dr Lee-man Choy shared the story of Venerable Fat Ho and his journey of invigorating the Secular World through Education.

About 900 participants attended the lectures.