Recapping the World History Seminar “The Making of Capital Cities through Imperial Expansion in the Neo-Assyrian Empire” conducted by Prof. CHEN Yi Samuel on 2 February 2023

Prof. CHEN Yi Samuel from the Department of History, The University of Hong Kong, was invited by the Centre for Comparative and Public History; Divinity School of Chung Chi College; and Centre for Christian Studies, CUHK to deliver a lecture entitled “The Making of Capital Cities through Imperial Expansion in the Neo-Assyrian Empire” on 2 February 2023. Prof. WONG Kwok Sonia of Divinity School and Prof. James MORTON of Department of History served as moderators.

To provide a brief background of the Assyrian State and Empire, the speaker examined the architectural and archaeological evidence from the previous findings by four scholars. After discussing expansion due to the scheme of long-distance trade during the Early and Old Assyrian Periods, he moved onto the Middle Assyrian Period during which Assur declined to be a city-state and a pattern of relocation of capitals emerged. With a glimpse of expansion by different campaigns of kings, he further pointed out two major characteristics of the Assyrian Empire, that is, acquisitiveness of resources and territories through military conquests and adaptive administrative systems. In the end, he explained how the Empire solidified its unity by ways of expanding through destruction, vassal-making, and annexation. State planning and administration further intensified the Empire unity.

Recapping the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition: “Bringing Together China and the West: Books of Early Modern Western Sinology in the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library” on 6 February 2023

The Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition: “Bringing Together China and the West: Books of Early Modern Western Sinology in the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library” was held on 6 February 2023 at the University Library.

Prof. TUAN Sung Chi Rocky, the Vice-Chancellor of CUHK; Prof. TANG Xiaobing Max, the Dean of Faculty of Arts; Prof. LAI Chi Tim, Associate Director of Institute of Chinese Studies; Prof. CHEUNG Sui Wai, Chairman of Department of History; Prof. Stuart MCMANUS, Associate Director of Centre for Comparative and Public History; and Mr. John BAHRIJ, Acting University Librarian were invited to officiate at the opening ceremony. Prof. TUAN, Mr. BAHRIJ and Prof. MCMANUS were also invited to deliver the opening speeches.

Following the ceremony, Prof. MCMANUS hosted a tour of the exhibition which provided an informative explanation of the historical significance of the exhibits. All participants enjoyed the unique experience and had a pleasant time.

Exhibition - Bringing Together China and the West: Books of Early Modern Western Sinology in the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library

CUHK was envisaged as “a two-arched bridge between the past and the present, the East and the West.” While conflict arguably outweighed collaboration during the second half of the nineteenth century, the much longer span of time between the Ming and early Qing-dynasties saw an encounter between our two great traditions that took place on a much more equal-footing.

The encounter is visible in the books published in this period, which the CUHK Library has been collecting. These books highlight the most important areas of mutual interest in early China-Western relations, which to a large extent mirror the modern faculties and departments of our University. Using the Library’s growing collection of rare books, this exhibition shows how the geographical and cultural distance between China and Europe was bridged. As such, it invites visitors to consider the overlapping and connected Chinese and Western origins of many of the most dynamic areas of our modern University, from the study of China’s philosophy and earliest dynastic history, to biomedical science and mechanical engineering.

World History Seminar (2022-23)

Organisers: Centre for Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK
Enquiry: 3943 8541

For teachers and students who have information to share with the Department, please email your articles in both Chinese and English to chanfiona@cuhk.edu.hk by 4:00pm every Monday.