As one of the most influential writers in the Chinese literary world, Eileen Chang’s life—from her birth, education, and creative endeavors to her later years—was deeply intertwined with Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States. The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Eileen Chang’s passing. After years of careful consideration, Dr Roland Soong, the administrator of Eileen Chang’s estate, officially decided to donate the manuscripts and relics of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong, and Mae Fong Soong to Hong Kong Metropolitan University. On 12 February 2025, Hong Kong Metropolitan University held the “Dr Roland Soong and Mrs. Elaine Soong Kingman Donation Ceremony: Manuscripts and Relics from Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong, and Mae Fong Soong”.
This donation initiative was overseen by the task force for the “Manuscripts and Relics of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong, and Mae Fong Soong Donation Project” at Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Members of the task force included Professor Charles Kwong Che-leung, Vice President (Administration and Corporate Development) of Hong Kong Metropolitan University; Dr Rebecca Leung Mo-ling, Associate Dean (Administration and Development) of the School of Arts and Social Sciences; Mr Owen Tam Man-lik, University Librarian; and Mr Tang Ho-bill, Associate Librarian. The task force began discussions as early as November 2023 and received support from Dr Roland Soong and the management of Hong Kong Metropolitan University.
The Hong Kong Metropolitan University Library will establish dedicated special collections for these manuscripts and relics, named the “Eileen Chang Special Collection” and the “Stephen Soong & Mae Fong Soong Special Collection.” Additionally, an exhibition hall focusing on modern Chinese literature will be constructed. The University Library will also collaborate with the School of Arts and Social Sciences to form research teams and task forces to develop a digital humanities project. This initiative will create an archival database and a digital image repository, named the “Modern Chinese Literature Collection.” Furthermore, Dr Roland Soong will donate his private book collection to the University Library for use by faculty and students in their studies and research.
The “Eileen Chang Special Collection” and the “Stephen Soong & Mae Fong Soong Special Collection” will include manuscripts, letters, and photographs from Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong, and Mae Fong Soong, as well as signed books gifted by renowned cultural figures and a large number of rare and valuable books.
To celebrate this donation and the establishment of the special collections exhibition hall and digital special collections, the School of Arts and Social Sciences and the University Library at Hong Kong Metropolitan University will launch a series of activities in the future. These include publishing articles in newspapers to promote research on Eileen Chang and Stephen Soong, hosting a series of academic and public lectures on topics such as Eileen Chang’s biography, the correspondence between Eileen Chang and Stephen Soong, and their contributions to film studies. Additionally, Hong Kong Metropolitan University will organise an international academic symposium on Eileen Chang and Stephen Soong. The university also plans to use digital humanities and digital art methods to create virtual reality and immersive experiences centred on “Love in a Fallen City”, showcasing innovative teaching approaches that integrate technology, art, and literature.
This donation project provides an opportunity for the manuscripts and relics of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong, and Mae Fong Soong to be presented to the public. These invaluable historical materials not only document the forty years of life and creative work of Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong, and Mae Fong Soong but also serve as traces of Hong Kong’s history. It is hoped that this donation project will inspire new directions in research on Eileen Chang, Stephen Soong, and Mae Fong Soong, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of their literature and lives.
