Message from Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Dear Colleagues,

The Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (Inc. the Centre of Asian Studies) is pleased to announce its 5th China Interdisciplinary Lunchtime Seminar for the second semester 2013-14.

On Tuesday, 1 April 2014, we welcome Dr. Loretta Kim, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Hong Kong Baptist University.

Title: The Pen is as Mighty as the Sword: Documentary and Literary Views of Hailanča

Abstract:
The life of Hailanča (?-1793) can be seen as both prosaic and as extraordinary. Starting his military career as a private, Hailanča earned a solid reputation as a warrior and eventually led several major campaigns, including the suppression of the Jinchuan uprisings. His distinguished service to the Qing empire yielded hereditary honors for his son and customary posthumous accolades. In those ways, he resembled many of his peers in the imperial hall of martial fame. However, he was also unusual as a member of the Solon tribal confederation to attain such high rank and is therefore celebrated not only as one of the Qing dynasty’s greatest soldiers but as a folk hero of the Ewenki ethnic group.
This presentation explores Hailanča’s legacy drawing upon evidence from his own correspondence with other Qing bureaucrats and to the imperial court, official biographies, and contemporary literature. Although his achievements as a military official may speak for themselves in the outcomes of battlefield casualties and the overall stability of the regime that he fought to maintain, his lived experience and the impressions that remain of his personal character are the foci of this study.

The seminar will be held in May Hall, Room 201, from 12-1PM. As usual, sandwiches and light refreshments will be served. We hope you will join us.

The aim of this informal series is to introduce scholars throughout the university to the wide range of current research on China, its society, people, institutions, and interconnections with the rest of the world being carried out in Hong Kong in various disciplines. We look forward to having you join us and welcome your participation and input.

If you have any questions about this seminar, would be interested in giving a talk, or would like to be removed from this mailing list, please contact Dr. Li Ji (liji66@hku.hk) or Dr. Lawrence Zhang (lczhang@hku.hk).

We look forward to seeing you.

Drs. Li Ji and Lawrence Zhang
Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (Incorporating the Centre of Asian Studies)