New Asia College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Dr. C. K. Wong, the founder of iASPEC Technologies Group, was invited to speak at the New Asia Lectures on Contemporary China 2020/2021 on 19 February. The Lecture is titled “What has Changed and Not Changed in Fifty Years”, and Dr. Wong shared with the audience life-changing events he encountered over the last fifty years.

Dr. Wong was a guest pupil at New Asia College in the 60’s and went on to study Mathematics and Physics at UC Berkeley in the US. He had made significant contributions in the IT sector of China and the US, and also served as consultant for multiple Chinese state-owned enterprises. iASPEC now provides software products and services to the financial, healthcare and cybersecurity industries in China, Hong Kong and the US.

Dr. Wong recounted the cultural shock he experienced in the US, especially with the antiwar movement during the Vietnam War. Witnessing the devastation brought by the Cultural Revolution on society and Chinese culture in mainland China, he began to enrich himself with more knowledge on Chinese culture as well as the history of modern China through book clubs founded by Chinese students in the US.

Upon graduation, Dr. Wong was invited to teach at several universities in the mainland. He also devoted himself to the localization of computer manufacturing in China. Speaking of the Cold War embargo and today's trade war, Dr. Wong believes that restrictions can help inspire people to strive for self-reliance. Hardships can motivate young people to grow and strive, and at the same time make them cherish everything more.

Comparing the two generations of student movements, Dr. Wong believes that there is no essential difference, but he pointed out the current younger generation show a weaker national and ethnic identity. Dr. Wong emphasized that every generation of citizens has its responsibilities to the country: the generation of his teachers and father have assumed the responsibility of "saving the country", while his own generation shoulders the ambition of "rejuvenating the country." He encouraged the younger generation of today to find their own historical roles.

Lastly, Dr. Wong put forward several problems facing young people today. Confronted with sustainability challenges, he urged young people to learn to seek change amidst stability, but at the same time to anchor themselves in the ever-changing world. Dr. Wong also believes that the Hong Kong market is not sufficient to support industries with high R&D investment, so he took the initiative to cultivate more than 100 local students to join the scientific research industry in the Greater Bay Area and the US. He hoped that young people can embrace diversity and broaden their horizons.