LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN,
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE BASIC LAW.
30 October 1989
Dear Sir,
I am writing this personal letter in my capacity as President of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
The Hong Kong Branch, first begun in 1847 and re-established in 1959, is a wholly independent body, and self-financing. The enclosed Brochure, together with the Chinese version to be printed shortly, will indicate our long history as a cultural society, and our record of work done in Hong Kong over the past thirty years.
I have been a member practically from the outset, and have been an office-bearer since 1966, editing the annual Journal for 14 years, serving as a Vice-President since 1970 and as President from 1983. I have thus been closely involved with the affairs of the Hong Kong Branch for most of its recent history and feel that I can give you an accurate idea of our hopes and aspirations for the future.
Put very simply, we would hope to continue our activities in the interests of Hong Kong long after 1997, and in the same way as we are able to operate at present. Our particular function is to increase the common stock of knowledge and understanding of Hong Kong, and to build a bridge between the Chinese and expatriate parts of the local community, promoting social interaction and friendship among its residents.
Like other bodies of its kind, our Society is registered under the Societies Ordinance. It has an approved constitution, to which any changes require the approval of the licensing authority. Otherwise, within these parameters, our Society operates with complete freedom of action, and its activities are not controlled, directed or restricted by the government in any way.
This freedom of action is at the root of our continued successful existence. It feeds the imagination and creativity which enable the Council to mount successful programmes that meet with the approval of the
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