[Webcast] Battle of Hong Kong during WWII—A lecture by Cameron Cathcart
November 18, 2016
In the Second World War, Canadian soldiers first engaged in battle while defending the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong against a Japanese attack in December 1941. The Canadians at Hong Kong fought against overwhelming odds and displayed the courage of seasoned veterans, though most had limited military training. They had virtually no chance of victory, but refused to surrender until they were overrun by the enemy. Those who survived the battle became prisoners of war (POWs) and many endured torture and starvation by their Japanese captors. The fighting in Hong Kong ended with immense Canadian casualties: 290 killed and 493 wounded. The death toll and hardship did not end with surrender. Those Canadians who fought in the defence of Hong Kong sacrificed much in their efforts to help bring peace and freedom to the people of Asia and the Pacific. Their task was a difficult and costly one, but their sacrifice would serve as an example of the kind of effort that would be required to eventually triumph. The survivors' ordeal that followed as prisoners of war serves as an additional reminder of the great cost of war. This talk is part of the Remembrance Day speaker series, in conjunction with an exhibit at the Chung Collection curated by Clifford Pereira.[Publications] Crisis and Opportunity: The Work of Aid Refugee Chinese Intellectuals (ARCI) in Hong Kong and Beyond
September 1, 2016
Congratulations to Prof. Glen Peterson of the History department on the publication of his chapter, "Crisis and Opportunity: The Work of Aid Refugee Chinese Intellectuals (ARCI) in Hong Kong and Beyond," in Hong Kong in the Cold War, ed. Priscilla Roberts and John M. Carroll (Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2016).[Media] Cantonese still thriving in Metro Vancouver despite wave of Mandarin-speaking immigrants [Vancouver Sun]
February 2, 2016
UBC’s King said the local Chinese-Canadian community has been supportive of the new language course, adding the role of Cantonese in the Lower Mainland is undeniable.[Media] Vancouver university begins Cantonese courses amid fears the language is being lost to Putonghua [SCMP]
September 17, 2015
With Putonghua increasingly dominant in Chinese language classes worldwide, news that the University of British Columbia will introduce Cantonese courses has caused a stir.[Media] Canadian university adds Cantonese course amid fears over its decline in Hong Kong [Hong Kong Free Press]
August 19, 2015
At a time when many in Hong Kong are worrying about the decline of Cantonese in classrooms, the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada has announced plans to roll out a course in Cantonese for the first time this fall.[Media] Long live Cantopop [The Economist]
August 14, 2015
When the University of British Columbia (UBC) resumes classes in September it will for the first time offer a course for credit in Cantonese.[Courses] Cantonese language courses announced!
May 29, 2015
The Department of Asian Studies is thrilled to offer Canada’s first for credit university Cantonese Language program. Thanks to a generous donation by brothers Alex and Chi Shum Watt, we will be offering 2 sections of beginner level courses during the 2015/16 school year and then both beginner and intermediate level courses beginning the following year in 2016/17.[Webcast] Cantonese Worlds Workshop (2015)
May 16, 2015
Cantonese Worlds is a two-day workshop that aims to begin an important conversation about how to make sense of the transformations of the last 50 years. In gathering leading scholars and observers to lay out an initial set of workshop themes for discussion, this pilot process will help create guiding questions that will shape the next few years of research, outreach, and public education.[Media] Ross King interviewed on CBC Radio on the future of Cantonese studies at UBC
January 4, 2015
On January 3rd Dr. Ross King, Head of the Department of Asian Studies, was invited to CBC radio to discuss the Cantonese language and the University’s plans for the future program.[Dialogues] Landmarks in the Construction of Hong Kong’s Identity
December 1, 2014
St. John’s College’s Justice Dialogues Committee organizes monthly sessions (i.e. dialogues) for members of St. John’s College and students at UBC to discuss issues related to social justice and international affairs. On November 25, SJC hosted guest speaker Prof. Leo Shin to speak about the topic “Landmarks in the Construction of Hong Kong’s Identity.”