Organized by the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) Press during the 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, the seminar “Hand-in-Hand for Benevolence: A Conversation on the Century-Long Footprints of TWGHs” concluded successfully. The talk featured Prof. Lau Chi-pang, SBS, JP, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR, and Prof. Ting Sun-pao, BBS, Honorary Prof. of the School of Chinese at The University of Hong Kong, as guest speakers. Mr. Tseng Hing-yep, Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), along with guests, attended to offer their support, attracting a large audience interested in Hong Kong history and philanthropic culture.

  

Revisiting Historical Sites to Analyze a Century of Charitable Works and Social Responsibility

Through a relaxed yet professional dialogue, the two prominent historians recounted the development of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, which has been part of Hong Kong for over a century and a half. Prof. Lau Chi-pang shared that the research team spent five years visiting historical sites to retrace significant past events for the book. He highlighted that TWGHs’ tradition of offering free medical care and medicine was steadfastly upheld even during the difficult years of the Japanese Occupation, demonstrating an extraordinary sense of social responsibility.

Prof. Ting Sun-pao praised TWGHs as an institution of immense scale and historical heritage. He pointed out that during major historical disasters, TWGHs not only initiated local relief efforts but also collaborated with charitable groups across Southeast Asia to raise donations. He specifically noted that the only two imperial plaques bestowed by Emperor Guangxu in Hong Kong are preserved at TWGHs, underscoring its significant historical standing. From historic architecture to compelling human-interest stories, the speakers' reflections gave the audience a deeper understanding of Hong Kong's philanthropic history.

  

Hand-in-Hand for Benevolence Chronicles Hong Kong's Century of Philanthropy

TWGHs has witnessed more than a century of transformations in Hong Kong, playing an indispensable role in medical care, disaster relief, education, and social services. The English publication by CityUHK Press, Hand-in-Hand for Benevolence: 150 Years of History of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals of Hong Kong 1870–2020, meticulously documents this valuable history. Its Chinese edition won the Publishing Award in Social Sciences at the 4th Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards.

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Hong Kong history, the development of social services, and philanthropic culture. Copies are available for purchase on the CityUHK Press website:

www.cityu.edu.hk/upress/hand-in-hand-for-benevolence-150-years-of-history-of-the-tung-wah-group-of-hospitals-of-hong-kong-1870-2020