July 17, 2024
The libraries and university presses of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have launched Open Books Hong Kong, an innovative open access initiative. This project aims to promote global knowledge sharing and bibliodiversity by providing free access to academic works. Notably, it is the first open access books program in Hong Kong.
On July 17, Open Books Hong Kong released nine books in the humanities and social sciences, authored by esteemed Hong Kong and international scholars. These Chinese-language works are now freely available worldwide, underscoring the program's commitment to the open dissemination of knowledge. More books will be released in the coming months.
The initiative highlights the high-quality research published by Hong Kong’s three university presses and addresses the lack of open-access resources for Chinese-language monographs. Although the program is currently limited in scope, it represents a significant step towards a sustainable model for sharing the insights and discoveries of Chinese and international scholars. It aligns with the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong’s goals to embrace open access, benefiting both the academic community and the general public, and contributing to the global open knowledge movement.
Benjamin Meunier, University Librarian of CUHK, described Open Books Hong Kong as a testament to Hong Kong’s forward-thinking nature, offering valuable knowledge to all. The initiative leverages Hong Kong’s position as a bridge between China and the rest of the world, promoting cross-cultural understanding.
The list of open access books includes:
Published by City University of Hong Kong Press:
- Xiaoshan Zhang, The Lawful Traditional Rights and Interests of the Indigenous Inhabitants of the “New Territories”
- Chen Sihe, My Teachers
- Fung Yee-wang, A Concise History of Human Civilization: The World through Chinese Eyes
Published by The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press:
- Cheng Chung-yi, Inheritance and Reinvention: Neo-Confucian Philosophy from Song-Ming to Contemporary
- He Qiliang, The People’s West Lake: Propaganda, Nature, and Agency in Mao’s China, 1949–1976
- Helen F. Siu, Tracing China: A Forty-Year Ethnographic Journey
Published by Hong Kong University Press:
- David A. Palmer and Elijah Siegler, Dream Trippers: Global Daoism and the Predicament of Modern Spirituality
- Lucetta Yip Lo Kam, Shanghai Lalas: Female Tongzhi Communities and Politics in Urban China
- Wu Yongmei and Lee Pui-tak, Graphic Images and Consumer Culture: Analysis of Modern Advertising Culture in China
Participating institutions include Run Run Shaw Library (CityUHK), City University of Hong Kong Press, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press, The University of Hong Kong Libraries, and Hong Kong University Press.
Edmund Chan, Director of City University of Hong Kong Press, emphasized the program’s role in promoting scholarship and knowledge transfer, making scholarly works globally accessible. Michael Duckworth, Publisher at Hong Kong University Press, highlighted the potential of such collaborations to bridge the digital divide and establish Hong Kong as an open access leader in the region.
Gan Qi, Director of The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press, praised open access publishing as a quiet revolution that democratizes knowledge dissemination. Benjamin Meunier of CUHK Library expressed excitement about the initiative’s potential to foster mutual understanding and address global challenges. Flora Ng, Chief Information Officer and University Librarian at HKU, spoke about the initiative’s goal to provide equal access to knowledge. Stella Pang, University Librarian at CityUHK, emphasized the library’s role in advancing research, innovation, and collaboration through Open Books Hong Kong.
