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5. Chinese studies have been neglected in the Univer-
sity. Eliot had his ideas, but he left and the University
got into financial difficulties. We are now working out a
scheme for a new department of Chinese studies and my idea is to orientate this new department with a special middle
vernacular school in Hongkong in which we shall attempt to
combine the effective teaching of English as a medium of
ing
thought and expression with an adequate ground/in the
Chinese classics, The aim of the new department of Chinese
studies will be mainly critical
·
the application of the
wisdom of China to the vital Chinese problems of to-day.
I want also to make a Chinese language school an integral
part of the University. In my recent Congregation speech,
of which I enclose a reprint, I developed the theme that,
in as much as no true educational advance in China could
be made without an assimilation of western knowledge, it
follows either that the Chinese spoken and written language
must be modified or else that the Chinese people must became
bilingual. The problem is nothing less than the invention
of a new medium of education for several hundred million
human beings and its importance for the future of mankind
can not be exaggerated. My ambition is that the Hongkong
University should contribute to the solution of this pro-
blem, and there is no reason whatever, except the lack of
money, why it should not start on this momentour task
straight away. The fact that Hongkong is not a centre of
traditional Chinese scholarship is rather an asset than
otherwise.
Incidentally we should greatly value the advice
as regards these developments of the two distinguished
Chinese scholars, Dr. Hu Shih and Dr. Ting, who are members
of your deputation. This is an additional reason, why you
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should come to Hongkong as soon as possible.