Professor Jonathan Spence, who has long been regarded as one of the most influential historians of Chinese history and currently holds the title of Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University, will give a lecture Below the State: The Many Lives of Those Contesting Authority in Eighteenth Century China at the University of Hong Kong tomorrow (May 14). This public lecture examines how early Chinese sources from three hundred years ago guide us into the worlds where the ordinary bureaucrats lost their way. It looks at the universe of peddlers and doctors, exiles and wanderers, exam candidates and temple guardians, forgers and inn-keepers, fortune tellers, mountain dwellers and travelling salesmen.

Professor Spence's writings over the years have ranged from the life and missionary career of Matteo Ricci to works on the Taiping Rebellion, the Chinese Revolution, and Mao Zedong. Spence's magnum opus, "The Search for Modern China," took shape in the lecture hall at Yale, which remains one of the most important introductions to Chinese history, well-loved by readers, scholars and students.

The Second Century Lecture Series aims to maintain the momentum of the University's Centenary celebrations by bringing the most distinguished scholars in their field to share their experience and world-class expertise with the University and the public.

Date: May 14, 2013 (Tuesday)
Time: 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm
Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, HKU

Please note that Professor Spence will not take any separate interviews before or after the lecture.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Georgina Challen, Public Affairs Manager, Faculty of Arts (tel: 2219 4250 email: gchallen@hku.hk ); or Ms Melanie Wan (Senior Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: (852) 2859 2600; email: melwkwan@hku.hk .