Chinese President Xi Jinping recently introduced the concepts of “the Silk Road Economic Belt” and “the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, officially named the “One Belt One Road” initiative. It connects the economic cooperative organizations of different regions of Asia, Europe and Africa, promoting simultaneous development of countries along the belt and strengthening cooperation among Asian countries in the political, economic and cultural arenas. Experience from the past, if not forgotten, could be lessons that guide us in the future. The Silk Road has historically been a trade route network which has developed from land to sea over the past two thousand years. If we understand its historical evolution, we might have better insights into the future developments of the “One Belt One Road” initiative.

 

The Director of HKU SPACE Professor Lee Chack-fan will be speaking at the School’s annual open day Open SPACE 2015, on the topic of “The Silk Road on Land and Sea – Historic Evolution and Future Prospects”, outlining the significant role of the land and maritime Silk Road from past to present, with the help of archaeological findings and images of cultural relics. 

 

Professor Lee points out that the Silk Road on land has been a large trans-continental trade network in Eurasia, allowing merchants to export silk, tea, porcelain, lacquerware, bronze ware, paper etc from China. At the same time they imported glass ware, gold and silver wares, jade, ivory, fruits, wool, carpets etc into China, thus promoting economic co-operation among countries along the route. Such trade activities inevitably led to cultural exchanges and those in art and religion.  However, in post-medieval times, silk production began in countries in West Asia and Europe. This, along with years of war, led to the decline of trade on the Silk Road. It was finally replaced by the maritime Silk Road, and porcelain became China’s major export. 

 

Looking into the future, Professor Lee believes that Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta could become an important part of the 21st century maritime Silk Road. We can use our expertise in finance, logistics, international trade, science and technology, and research talents to drive the developments at the maritime Silk Road.  

 

Professor Lee believes that the One Belt One Road initiative will be beneficial to the future development of countries along the route, and will have a far-reaching impact on economic and cultural development in the entire region. 

 

Speaker:

Professor Lee Chack-fan

 

Professor Lee is the Director of HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) and the Director of the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole.  He has also served as the Director of the Buddhist College of Fo Guang Vihara (Hong Kong), teaching specifically on the history of Indian Buddhist philosophy, history of Chinese Buddhism and Buddhist history of Central Asia.  He has also participated in numerous study trips to Central Asia and Dunhuang over the years. 

 

Media Enquiry:
Ms. Emily Chu, Assistant Manager (Media Relations), HKU SPACE
Tel.: 2975 5854                      
Email: emily.chu@hkuspace.hku.hk

 

Ms. Vicki Wan, Media Relations Coordinator, HKU SPACE

Tel.: 2910 7689       
Email: vicki.wan@hkuspace.hku.hk