"Hong Kong Chronicles" compiled by Tung Chee-hwa think tank Chen Zhisi denies that there is a political purpose: not to interfere with the content

Political situation

Written by: Luo Jiaqing

2020-12-29 07:00

Last update date: 2020-12-29 07:00

The "Hong Kong Local History Center" led by the United Hong Kong Foundation began to compile local local history "Hong Kong" last year. The first volume of "General History" was officially published today (28th), with a total of 530,000 words covering the Neolithic 7,000 years ago A number of major events from the period to July 1, 2017.

"Unity Hong Kong Fund" Chairman Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and China Local History Leading Group Leader Xie Fuzhan, etc. spoke through short videos at the press conference.

Tung Chee-hwa said that "Hong Kong Chronicles" is an accurate, objective, and systematic and comprehensive record of the social landscape and the changes of the times, emphasizing that "Hong Kong and the country share a common destiny, and the indivisible destiny is connected."

He also pointed out that "Hong Kong Chronicles" can give everyone an in-depth understanding of Hong Kong's past and present. It will certainly inspire Hong Kong people to "write a more glorious new chapter for Hong Kong" in line with the excellent conditions given to Hong Kong by one country, two systems.

When asked whether "Hong Kong Chronicles" would rewrite history and how to deal with sensitive issues, such as the June 4th incident, Chen Zhisi, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Local Chronicles Center and convener of the guild, denied that the Chronicles had a political purpose, and that the compilation work was done by experts, Scholar-led, he will not interfere with the content of the chronicle.

Chen Zhisi said that he had asked the SAR government's opinions and emphasized that he would not accept it in full.

Chen Zhisi denied that the chronicle had a political purpose, and said that the compilation work was led by experts and scholars, and he would not interfere with the content of the chronicle.

(Provided by Hong Kong Local History Center)

Lam Cheng: Let young people understand that Hong Kong is inseparable from the country

"Hong Kong Chronicles" is divided into 10 categories, including memorabilia, nature, economy, culture, society, politics, etc. It has 66 volumes and nearly 300 units.

The book is about 25 million words, with an average of 350,000 words per volume, and will be published in succession before 2027.

There are 14 chapters in the political category, including Hong Kong cession, lease and dispute, law and justice, social movement, and political relationship between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Among them, Lam Cheng and the director of the Central Liaison Office Luo Huining are both honorary patrons. In the short film, Lam Cheng stated that Hong Kong has been China's territory since ancient times. He emphasized that Hong Kong's history is closely related to the development of the country. I believe that "Hong Kong History" can help young people understand Hong Kong and the country. Inseparable relationship.

After the press conference, the center’s chief convener Li Zhuofen and conveners Ding Xinbao (fifth from right), Liang Yuansheng (second from left), Xian Yuyi (first from left) and Liu Zhipeng (fourth from left) and many other scholars explained to reporters the compilation of "Hong Kong History" in detail Happening.

(Photo by Luo Jiaqing)

Need to spend 800 million funds to be sponsored by the Jockey Club

Chen Zhisi said that when compiling the "Hong Kong Chronicles", the center will collect and process data from an academic point of view, emphasizing that it will abide by the principle of "taking history as the truth and narrating regardless of".

He estimated that the entire revision work will cost 780 million yuan, of which 70% will be used for compilation, printing, publishing, and distribution.

Chen Zhisi also pointed out that the compilation of "Hong Kong Chronicles" was funded by the Jockey Club, and one-third of the funding has been raised.

Regarding reports that "Hong Kong Chronicles" used the transfer of sovereignty to describe Hong Kong's return, it was pressured by the Liaison Office to modify the wording. Lin Nairen, president of the Hong Kong Local Chronicles Center, said that it was not true and emphasized that there was no such thing.

The chronicle mentioned that on July 1, 1997, it described the return of Hong Kong with "President Jiang Zemin's speech, marking the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty by the Chinese government over Hong Kong."

In addition, the "Hong Kong Chronicles" did not mention in detail the circumstances of the June 4th Incident in 1989. It only mentioned that more than 200,000 citizens of Hong Kong participated in the sit-in and that 1 million citizens participated in the six-hour Hong Kong Island event organized by the Stake. Parade around the city.

Chen Zhisi said that when compiling the "Hong Kong Chronicles", the center will collect and process data from an academic point of view, emphasizing that it will abide by the principle of "taking history as the truth and narrating regardless of".

He estimated that the entire revision work will cost 780 million yuan, of which 70% will be used for compilation, printing, publishing, and distribution.

(Picture of Hong Kong Local History Center)

Claiming that "Hong Kong Chronicles" is completely non-political and has no intention of "brainwashing"

After the press conference, the center's chief convener Li Zhuofen, convener Ding Xinbao, Liang Yuansheng, Xian Yuyi, and Liu Zhipeng and many other scholars explained to reporters the compilation of "Hong Kong Chronicles" in detail.

Ding Xinbao said that in the past, Hong Kong’s history only focused on several aspects. For example, social history topics were studied by many people, but some topics such as Hong Kong legal history were left unattended. Therefore, Hong Kong Chronicles hopes to supplement the less involved areas in the past and cover natural history. , Archaeology, economics and politics.

When asked about the Hong Kong Local History Center being led by United Hong Kong Foundation, some outsiders questioned that the reason for revising the history was to "bleach" and rewrite history.

The director of the center, Lin Nairen, said that "Hong Kong Chronicles" is mainly led by scholars and has editorial freedom. The most important thing is to "tell it and ignore it", stressing that it will not comment on right or wrong, and it is completely political.

Lin Nairen emphasized that the entire process was jointly studied by the committee, and was not influenced by anything at all, and there was no intention to "brainwash" it. It was a historical and cultural project.

The convener Liu Zhipeng said that Hong Kong people didn't know Hong Kong in the past, but Hong Kong and the surrounding areas are inextricably linked.

He believes that Hong Kong is not only a Chinese territory, but also a connection with the world.

Liu agrees that the current historical work in Hong Kong focuses on the mainland, neglects the relationship with China, and emphasizes the importance of studying the relationship between the two places in history.

The convener Liu Zhipeng (left) said that Hong Kong people didn't know Hong Kong in the past, but Hong Kong and its surrounding areas are inextricably linked.

(Photo by Luo Jiaqing)

"Hong Kong Chronicles" explores Hong Kong history

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