On 22 November 2024, ICS Luncheon invited Prof. Robin Huang to deliver a talk regarding the development and regulation of FinTech in Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Prof. Huang is a Professor in the Faculty of Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and a recipient of National Major Talent Programs. He has provided expert consultancy to international organizations, such as the World Bank, and serves as a foreign law expert for The Supreme People’s Court, as well as

a member of the Expert Committee of the Shanghai Financial Court. His research interests include corporate law, securities law, financial regulation, FinTech, and foreign investment. He has received numerous research grants from Hong Kong (HSSPFS, GRF, PPR), Australia, the European Union, and Mainland China. Furthermore, he was awarded the “Research Excellence Award” by CUHK in 2011, 2020, and 2024 respectively, and has received various academic conference awards both domestically and internationally.

During the Luncheon, Prof. Huang first discussed the origins of FinTech, covering areas such as crowdfunding, crypto assets, and mobile payments, which have fostered financial development. For instance, crowdfunding makes it more accessible for startups and small businesses to obtain funding, while encryption technology allows assets to be transferred, stored, or traded electronically, reducing transaction costs. However, while there are apparent advantages brought by the development of FinTech, there are also concerns, such as the increase in investment scams conducted via the internet, and the rising risk of asset theft. To address these issues, both Mainland China and Hong Kong have implemented different regulatory systems to protect investors’ interests and maintain financial system stability. The government aims to establish regulatory mechanisms through public policy to balance encouraging innovation, protecting investors, and promoting financial development, thus utilizing the advantages brought by FinTech.

Prof. Lee Fong-mao: 憂/優遊洞天：故宮名畫的遊仙敘事
On 12 December 2024, ICS Luncheon invited Prof. Lee Fong-mao to deliver a talk regarding the research of “Grotto-heavens 洞天”.

Prof. Lee Fong-mao is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy, Academia Sinica, and an Emeritus Chair Professor at National Chengchi University. He began his academic career as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at Providence University in 1978. In 1981, he joined the Department of Chinese Literature at National Chengchi University, where he was promoted to Professor in 1987. From 1992 to 2015, he served as a researcher at the Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy, Academia Sinica. In 2022, he was elected as an Academician of the 33rd class of Academia Sinica, becoming the first Academician elected for research in Taoism.

Prof. Lee’s research areas include Taoist literature, Taoist culture, classical Chinese literature, and modern Chinese literature. He has published extensively and received numerous awards from the National Science and Technology Council, including the Outstanding Research Award in 1994 and 1997 respectively, recognizing his extraordinary achievements. His research centres on Taoist literature, drawing from diverse materials such as the Chu Ci, Han Dynasty tomb images, Six Dynasties Taoist scriptures and poetry, to Ming and Qing dynasty dramas and novels, with the aim of constructing a “History of Taoist Literature”. He has also developed the theory of “Ordinary and Extraordinary” to interpret various phenomena in Han culture, extending this framework to the study of folk festivals and religious rituals in Taiwan.

During the lecture, Prof. Lee highlighted the growing academic interest in the study of “Grotto-heavens” in recent years. Researchers have increasingly adopted an interdisciplinary approach, combining historical documents, art history, and field studies to deepen their understanding of the concept. Initially driven by personal curiosity, the study of “Grotto-heavens” has evolved into a systematic and collaborative field. Prof. Lee also emphasized the pivotal role of foreign sinologists in drawing attention to the topic. Their research has reignited interest among Chinese scholars, leading to more comprehensive investigations and analyses.

Furthermore, Prof. Lee pointed out that “Grotto-heavens” are not only a topic of Taoist culture, but also hold a place in Chinese literature and art. They symbolize sacred and mysterious landscapes, often depicted as paradisiacal realms inhabited by immortals and deities. In landscape paintings, “Grotto-heavens” frequently integrate Taoist themes such as immortals, sacred landscapes, and seekers of the Tao. These works have become an important medium to convey the mystical and sacred nature of “Grotto-heavens”, reflecting religious and cultural significance while preserving and promoting Taoist cultural heritage. After the Tang-Song transition period, the culture of immortality entered daily life through artistic media, making Taoism no longer an exclusive secret within religious groups, but a cultural foundation of Han society.