In the presence of about 80 guests, CityU's Chinese Civilisation Centre (CCIV) and the City University of Hong Kong Press on 2 December launched the first two titles of the new Chinese Civilisation Lecture Series.

 

 

The two books, in Chinese, are: A Comparative Study on Eastern and Western Culture ---- Matteo Ricci in China and Other Essays by CCIV Visiting Professor Zhang Cuo, and Historical Geography edited by CCIV staff.

 

"It is gratifying to see that City University has been placing high value on humanities and cultural education. This is a far-sighted vision, particularly with the advent of the knowledge-based era," s

aid Professor He Fangchuan of Peking University's Department of History at the launch. Also officiating at the ceremony were CityU President Professor H K Chang and CCIV Director Professor Cheng Pei-kai.

 

The first book explores the influence of Matteo Ricci and Christianity in China in a rich cultural context, whereas the second gathers together a range of essays that shed lights on the latest research achievements in the field of historical georgraphy.

 

Since its establishment in 1998, the CCIV has invited numerous visiting scholars and experts from around the world to CityU and delivered hundreds of lectures on Chinese art, history and culture.

With a view to making these lectures more widely available in the community, the CCIV and the University Press planned to publish, under the title of the Chinese Civilisation Lecture Series, the many talks and presentations in seven volumes. These will range from classical literature and ancient civilization to history of technological development and cultural exchanges between the East and the West.

"Student and staff from all departments and faculties in the University have been giving us enthusiastic support in the promotion of Chinese culture learning," said Professor Cheng. "I hope the new books will serve as another valuable source to anyone interested in exploring and understanding more about Chinese culture."