Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2003

An address given by Prof. Lu Yongxiang, Dr-Ing, DEng (Hon), LLD O n this happy occasion of the Fortieth Anniversary of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, I am much pleased and honoured to be presented w i th the University's honorary doctorate i n science. On behalf of my fellow honorary graduates, Mr. Raymond Kwok, Prof. A r t hur L i and Mr. An t hony Neoh, Honorary Doctors of Laws, Prof. Jao Chung I and Prof. Yu Kwa ng Chung, Honorary Doctors of Letters, and Prof. Reinhard Selten, Honorary Doctor of Social Science, I wou ld like to speak briefly i n response to the honours that the University is bestowing on us today. The wo r ld today witnesses rapid scientific and technological advancements, economic globalization and regionalization, as we ll as the dawn i ng of a knowledge-based economy. Knowledge has replaced land of the agrarian society and capital of the industrial society as the most important single factor of we a l t h. I n n o v a t i on and dissemination of knowledge, and the capability to make use of knowledge, have become the fundamental factors for competitiveness, the driving force for economic, social and overall development, and the key to future progress, in any nation or region. Well-educated people who are capable of innovation and enterprise have now become our most valuable asset, for they w i ll propel change and spearhead progress. Ho ng Kong is a Special Admi n i s t r a t i ve Region of the People's Republic of China. At the same time it is also a cosmopolitan metropolis. Its advantages lie not in natural resources, but i n her un i que geographical location and a cultural heritage in which the East and the West have profitably come together. The economic and legal infrastructures are sound and liberal, and the six mi l l i on citizens here are forward- looking, progressive, and entrepreneurial. Since its foundation The Chinese University of Hong Kong has been pursuing as its objectives the manifestations of Chinese culture and the communication and cross-fertilization between Chinese andWestern cultural traditions; it has also placed equal emphasis on Chinese and English, on teaching and research, and on broad-based and specialist education. The University advances day by day, from a vantage point where it enjoys the support of the Motherland while looking outward to the world, as it seeks to fulfil its objectives of developing knowledge, educating young talent, and serving the community. This year The Chinese University turns 40. Amidst the challenges and opportunities posed by the transformation of the local economy, the rapid economic developments in both China and Asia, the fast growth in science and technology w o r l d w i de and the global emergence of a k now l edge - ba s ed economy, The Chinese University w i ll perpetuate its fine traditions and seek furtherance of its aims and objectives on a grand scale; and it w i l l continue its valuable contribution to Hong Kong, to China, and to world-wide civilization and progress. (A translation of Prof. Lu's speechfrom Chinese) Am i d st the challenges and opportunities posed by the transformation of the local economy, the rapid economic developments in both China and Asia, the fast growth in science and technology worldwide and the global emergence of a knowledge-based economy, The Chinese University will perpetuate its fine traditions and seek furtherance of its aims andobjective son a grand sca Chinese University Bulletin Autumn • Winter 2003 64