The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Library marked a significant milestone today with the Donation Ceremony of Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen\u2019s Collection. The late Mr Cheong-Leen, widely known as the first Chinese Chairman of the Urban Council and co-founder of the Hong Kong Civic Association, has left an indelible mark on Hong Kong\u2019s history.<\/p>\r\n
The substantial collection, spanning 1962 to 2012, comprises five boxes of documents and publications. This treasure trove includes over 150 letters exchanged between Mr Cheong-Leen and key governmental bodies, about 80 speeches, 200+ photos capturing Council activities, over 20 volumes of Hong Kong Hansards, the official Urban Council proceedings, documents from the Hong Kong Handover Ceremony, and exclusive interviews with Mr Cheong-Leen.<\/p>\r\n
Expressing gratitude at the ceremony, Mr Eric Ng, CUHK\u2019s Vice-President (Administration) and University Secretary, lauded the family\u2019s generous donation. He highlighted Mr Cheong-Leen\u2019s impactful role in shaping Hong Kong\u2019s social landscape, advocating for causes such as nine-year free education and improved housing for the underprivileged. The collection, meticulously preserved in CUHK Library\u2019s Special Collections, promises to enrich the study of Hong Kong\u2019s history.<\/p>\r\n
CUHK\u2019s University Librarian, Mr Benjamin Meunier, expressed deep honour in receiving Mr Cheong-Leen\u2019s papers, emphasising the historic figure\u2019s dedication to improving lives. The donation agreement, signed during the event by Mr Meunier and Ms Flora Cheong-Leen, Mr Cheong-Leen\u2019s daughter, signifies the commitment to preserving this invaluable history.<\/p>\r\n
Ms Flora Cheong-Leen remarked on her father\u2019s legacy, describing him as a progressive and inclusive figure in Hong Kong\u2019s society. She thanked everyone for receiving her father\u2019s donation and preserving his history within CUHK.<\/p>\r\n
During the ceremony, Mr George Li, CUHK\u2019s Special Collections Librarian, presented select items, including letters from Mr Cheong-Leen to former British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major. These artifacts offer insight into Mr Cheong-Leen\u2019s support for significant decisions, such as granting right of abode to British nationals and the construction of a new airport in Hong Kong. The collection also features historical photographs documenting Mr Cheong-Leen\u2019s impactful tenure as the first Chinese Chairman of the Urban Council. It is expected to be open to the public in the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\r\n
About Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Born in British Guiana in 1922, Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen moved to Hong Kong at the age of nine. Founder of Cheong-Leen & Co. (Asia) Limited in 1945, he played a pivotal role in Hong Kong\u2019s business and political landscape. Co-founder of the Hong Kong Civic Association in 1954, he joined the Urban Council in 1957, serving as its first Chinese chairman from 1981 to 1986\u2014the longest-serving elected public official in Hong Kong\u2019s history. Mr Cheong-Leen also served as a member of the Legislative Council from 1973 to 1979 and from 1985 to 1988.<\/p>","show_as_achievement":false,"achievement_category":[],"show_as_clarification":false,"show_as_announcement":false,"photos":[{"photo":166995,"caption":"The Donation Ceremony of Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen\u2019s Collection. (From left) Mr Gary Cheung, CUHK's Deputy Director of Communications and Public Relations, Mr Eric Ng, CUHK\u2019s Vice-President (Administration) and University Secretary, Ms Flora Cheong-Leen, Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen\u2019s daughter, Mr Frederick Lynn, Chairman, the Hong Kong Civic Association, Mr Benjamin Meunier, CUHK\u2019s University Librarian, and Ms Lavender Cheung, CUHK's Director of Communications and Public Relations."},{"photo":166988,"caption":"Mr Eric Ng delivers welcome remarks."},{"photo":166989,"caption":"Mr Benjamin Meunier delivers a speech."},{"photo":166990,"caption":"Ms Flora Cheong-Leen delivers a speech."},{"photo":167042,"caption":"Mr George Li introduces the donated items."},{"photo":166992,"caption":"Signing of donation agreement by Ms Cheong-Leen (left) and Mr Meunier (right)."},{"photo":166993,"caption":"Presentation of thank-you certificates to Ms Cheong-Leen (left) from Mr Meunier (right)."},{"photo":166994,"caption":"Presentation of thank-you certificates to Mr Lynn (right) from Mr Ng (left)."},{"photo":166996,"caption":"Introduction of donated items by Ms Cheong-Leen (right)."},{"photo":166986,"caption":"Introduction of donated items by Ms Cheong-Leen."},{"photo":166987,"caption":"Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen\u2019s Collection."}],"attachments":null,"video_source":"","video_file":"","add_play_button":false,"video_caption":"","show_migration":false,"original_id":0,"photos_original":null,"attachments_original":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/166997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/166997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":167046,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/166997\/revisions\/167046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}