Considering Hong Kong's Future

The Council on East Asian Studies will present a talk by the Distinguished Fulbright Scholar Charles K. Kao on “The Role of Hong Kong After 1997,” today, March 4 at 4:30 p.m. in the Luce Hall Auditorium. A reception will follow.

Prof. Kao is Hong Kong’s first Distinguished Fulbright Scholar. Former vice chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the territory’s premier university, he is a leader in the development of optical fiber for communications.

Born in Shanghai, Mr. Kao received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of London, England. In 1966 he was principal author of the seminal paper on fiber optic communication applications. His pioneering work has led to 22 honors and awards from around the world and over 100 publications.

Today’s talk will focus on the direction and role that Hong Kong will create for itself after the handover to China in July 1997, as seen from Dr. Kao’s perspective as educator, scientist and entrepreneur.