FOREWORD
by Professor Steve Ching, University Librarian

To stimulate intellectual curiosity and to promote all-round development in students,
the Library is pleased to present the Chinese painting promotion program as part of
the outside classroom learning activities, in collaboration with the Chinese Civilisation
Centre and the Department of Chinese, Translation and Linguistics.

Through this program, it is hoped that the Library can provide an alternative channel
for students to have a very initial understanding of Chinese traditional painting including
its basic classification, basic techniques and very brief historical development. While
we understand that it is almost impossible to give you a very comprehensive and in-depth
guide to the topic through a few pages or in a few weeks; we wish to at least aid you to
unlock the door to Chinese painting. When you interest is sparked, we are sure that you
will have the passion to make the exploration on your own.

Michelangelo says,"A man paints with his brains and not with his hands". May the paintings
we have selected can help you understand more about the cultural riches of our flourishing
civilization—how our ancestors looked at the world they were living. Enjoy!