Contemporary China Institute
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
Sir Percy Craddock
10 Downing Street
London
SW1
7 November 1990
SOAS
School of Oriental
and African Studies University of London
Thornhaugh Street
Russell Square LONDON WC1H OXG
Telephone 01-637 2388 Telex 291829 SOASP Fax 01-436 3844
On 6 May 1990 the area code changes from 01 to 071
Dear Sir Percy,
I understand that at a recent reception, you met Professor Hugh Baker, who told you something of a major initiative which is being launched as part of the strategy designed to re-invigorate this Institute's research activities. The initiative, incidentally recorded a high priority by the Director of SOAS (Mr M.D. McWilliam), may also be seen as part of our broader objective to of enhancing the profile of Contemporary Chinese studies in London and indeed nationally.
I enclose copies of two brochures, which describe something of the activities of the Contemporary China Institute, as well as setting out in some detail the nature of the Research Project under consideration. It may, however, be useful if I were to summarise the content of that Project and indicate some of the benefits which I hope may stem from its implementation.
The Contemporary China Institute is the longest established and most prestigious centre for the study of twentieth century China in Britain. Until now its terms of reference have extended exclusively to the study of the People's Republic of China. As Head of the Institute, I strongly believe that the time is overdue to extend this remit to embrace the study of Hong Kong - indeed, to make the Institute a national centre for such studies. To this end, and with the full support of the Director of SOAS - I am hoping to launch an important new research initiative, which will seek to examine various aspects of the evolving relationship between Hong Kong and China upto and beyond 1997.
A major feature of this proposal is that it should have the strongest possible policy studies thrust. It is deliberately designed to focus, and throw light on, those policy issues which already confront the Hong Kong community, in all its guises, in the search for mutual accommodation with China under the principle of "one country, two systems". The very nature of the exercise dictates that economic and legal questions should assume the highest priority within the Project, although in order to maximise its impact and usefulness, other aspects (for example, social, administrative and cultural) are also included within its terms of reference.
cont/d
the centre for Asia and Africa
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