The University of Hong Kong (HKU) presents an exhibition titled Microcosm of an Era: Ho Kai, HKU, and the Voices that Ushered in Modern China on Wednesday.

Featuring a collection of rare books and bookplates curated and donated by the chairman of Befar Group, avid collector Yu Jiang, the exhibition invites visitors to explore a transformative era of modern Chinese history, characterized by the convergence of East and West and the transition from the traditional to the modern.

At the exhibition’s opening ceremony, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong Zhang Xiang, said: “This year marks the 160th anniversary of Dr Sun Yat-sen’s birth. Looking back on the shared history of Sir Kai Ho Kai, Dr Sun Yat-sen, and HKU at this significant juncture allows us to appreciate the profound meaning of this exhibition.

“In an era of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence, we must cherish the preservation and transmission of the humanities and history all the more. Only by integrating the arts and sciences, and blending the past with the present, can we truly lead humanity towards a better future.”

At the heart of this exhibition is an exploration of the complex and profound legacy of Sir Kai Ho Kai. While often referred to in HKU’s history as a “founding pioneer” or the “founder of the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese” (the predecessor of HKU), Ho’s intellectual impact runs far deeper. Notably, he played a pivotal role as a key “behind-the-scenes force” during the early stages of Dr Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary career.

The crown jewel of this donation is an exceedingly rare, precious original copy of Xin Zheng Zhen Quan (A True Explanation of New Policies), co-authored by Ho and his close friend Woo Lai-woon. The book became a vital resource for both reformers and revolutionaries in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The ideals articulated by Ho in this volume paved the way for HKU to become a pioneering institution that placed equal stress on both Chinese and Western scholarship.

The exhibition opens to the public from July 22 to Aug 5 at the Run Run Shaw Tower of HKU’s Centennial Campus. It will subsequently be relocated to the HKU Main Library for an extended run.