"HONG KONG: PAST AND
PRESENT"
A Photo-Documentary Exhibition
June 28 - July 21, 1997
What is
popularly and collectively known as Hong Kong
actually refers to the island itself, the Kowloon
Peninsula and the New Territories. These three
areas were wrested from China by Britain during
the period from 1841 to 1898. Cultural cataclysm
ensued when European imperialism clashed
militarily with a restless and demoralized China
at the end of Manchu rule. The resulting
settlements ceded Hong Kong to British rule for
approximately 150 years. On July 1, 1997, Hong
Kong and the accompanying territories will revert
back to the governance of China. This
"homecoming" is epochal and eagerly
watched by people the world over. In spite of
differences in political leanings, Chinese
everywhere celebrate the return of this lingering
colonial vestige to the historical folds of
China.
The
Chinese Culture Center, with co-sponsorship from
the Committee to Celebrate the End of British
Colonial Rule in Hong Kong and Eastwind Books and
Arts, Inc., is pleased to host a
photo-documentary exhibition of the history of
Hong Kong, with a focus on the evolving
relationship between Britain and China. The
approximately sixty photographs, on loan from the
Consulate General of the People's Republic of
China and Eastwind Books and Arts, Inc., will
trace both the fractious and cooperative nature
of this uneasy past. The exhibition offers
glimpses of how a once-barren outpost has
prospered as a thriving international commercial
center while benefiting from the unique
contributions of hard and resourceful immigrant
labor, the confidence of venture capitalism, and
the nurturing politics of both Chinese and
British governments. The photographs also reveal
the harsh realities and the deserved rewards of
life in Hong Kong during the last 150 years.
"Hong
Kong: Past and Present" will be previewed
through a slide presentation given by John H.
Seto at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, at the
Chinese Culture Center. Admission for non-members
is $3.00. The exhibition is on view from June 28
to July 21, 1997. The Chinese Culture Center is
located at 750 Kearny St., Holiday Inn, 3rd
Floor. Admission is free. Gallery hours: Tuesday
- Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For additional
information, please call: (4l5) 986-1822.
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