The “Gala Dinner to Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Professor Jao Tsung-i” was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 6 December 2015. The event was officiated by The Hon. Leung Chun Ying, GBM, GBS, JP, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and Mr. Zhang Xiaoming, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. Professor Jao Tsung-i, GBM, the True Master of Sinology, is currently Honorary Permanent Director of the HKBU Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology.

The birthday banquet was well attended by over 1,000 distinguished guests. They included The Hon. Mrs. Carrie Lam, GBS, Chief Secretary for Administration; representatives of the Liaison Office; Dr. Wilfred Wong, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the HKBU Foundation; Dr. Simon Suen, JP and Mrs. Mary Suen, Mr. William Leung, BBS, JP, Dr. Justin Chiu, Dr. Kennedy Wong, BBS, JP, Dr. Elizabeth Law, MH, Mrs. Susan So, BBS, Mrs. Fidelia Chan, Mr. Hung Kwong Yee, Mr. Lam Cheung Chuen, Mr. Wong Ting Chung, BBS, JP and Mr. Peter Lau, members of the HKBU Foundation; and Mr. Cheng Chak Kuen, donor of the University.

Several representatives of HKBU also attended the dinner to extend their congratulations to Professor Jao.  They were, among others, Professor Roland T. Chin, President and Vice-Chancellor, and Mrs. Zina Chin; Professor Albert Chan, JP, President Emeritus, and Mrs. Mabel Chan; Professor Huang Yu, Associate Vice-President and Dean of Communication; Professor Chen Zhi, Acting Dean of Arts and Director of BUJAS; and Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement.

In celebration of Professor Jao’s 100th birthday, the Home Affairs Bureau recently held an exhibition entitled “Reminiscences of Hong Kong by the Brush: A Celebration of the 100th Birthday of Professor Jao Tsung-i” at the Hong Kong Central Library. The exhibition gave the audience an insight into Professor Jao’s achievements in art and scholarship. Mrs. Lily Chan attended the opening ceremony on behalf of the University.