This talk will be conducted by two speakers: Dr. Patrick Hase and Mr. Ko Tim-keung.

Pat Hase’s part of the talk is based on historical research into two squatter areas: the Hau Wong San Tsuen, outside Kowloon City, and Kwu Tung, between Sheung Shui and Yuen Long, an area typical of the more dispersed type of squatter settlement typical of the New Territories.

Ko Tim-keung will talk about how the squatters dominated the city scene between the 1950s and 1970s. He will also share with the audience some stories about life in squatters in those unforgettable years.

Undesirable as it might be, squatting was one of the most prominent features of post-war Hong Kong housing development and an important common experience shared by many Hong Kong people. Illustrated with rare and striking historical photos, the speakers will share with the audience the story of post-war squatting, a time before Hong Kong emerged as the high-rise financial hub we know today.

This seminar will also be open to those invited by University of Chicago Yuen Campus in Hong Kong.

The Speakers

Dr Patrick Hase has studied the history and traditional life of the New Territories and its people for over forty years. He is the author of several books and numerous articles on the history of the New Territories, including The Six-Day War of 1899, Hong Kong in the Age of Imperialism and Forgotten Heroes: San On County and its Magistrates in the Late Ming and Early Qing. He is a past president and honorary fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, Hong Kong, and serves as honorary advisor to several museums in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Kaiping.

He was President of the Royal Asiatic Society (Hong Kong Branch) for four years, up to 2005, and is an Honorary Fellow of the Society. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (F.S.A), and an Honorary Adviser (Local History) to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Government of Hong Kong, to the Zhongying Street Historical Museum, Sha Tau Kok and to the People’s Government of the Municipality of Kaiping, Guangdong.

Mr. Ko Tim-keung

Mr. Ko Tim-keung was formerly council member of Royal Asiatic Society (Hong Kong Branch) and member of Antiquities Advisory Board. At present, he serves as museum expert adviser for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and advisor of the Collection Committee of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. He has written extensively on various aspects of Hong Kong history.

Time: Registration starts 2:30pm, Event starts 3pm; this event will end at 4:30pm

Admission: Free of charge. Open to the public

Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to reserve your place.