Date:  Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Time:  2:00 - 3:00 pm
Venue:  5401, 5/F, Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building
Speaker:  Patrick Chiu
Host:  Prof. Fan Ka Wai
Language:  Putonghua

About the Talk
This talk offers a captivating exploration of the intricate relationship between China and the Western world, focusing on the fascinating realm of pharmaceutical history. It delves into the historical transformation of China, beginning with the ancient Silk Road’s establishment by Zhang Qian during the Han Dynasty in 138 BCE. The narrative then proceeds to highlight the height of China’s interactions with the West during the late Qing Dynasty, with a specific emphasis on the convergence of Eastern and Western medicine and pharmacy. Significant events such as the Opium Wars, the First Sino-Japanese War, and the Boxer Movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries played pivotal roles in China’s adoption of Western medicine and pharmacy. These historical turning points ultimately led to the establishment of the ‘one country, two pharmacy systems’ that exist in China today.

About the Speaker
Patrick Chiu, known by his Manchu name Irgen Gioro, was born in Guangzhou and raised in Hong Kong. He possesses a diverse professional background in both pharmacy and business administration, having held executive positions in prominent multinational companies in Hong Kong and globally. Recognizing the importance of preserving and studying the history of pharmacy, Patrick took the initiative to establish the Hong Kong Society for the History of Pharmacy, where he currently serves as the president. He actively contributes to the field through regular publications in the Pharmaceutical Historian. Additionally, Patrick holds the esteemed position of senior non-resident fellow at Shanghai University. Throughout his illustrious career, Patrick has exhibited his passion for research and writing by authoring six books. Among his notable works is his latest publication, “A History of Western Pharmacy in China,” which is scheduled for global distribution in January 2024. 

CAH faculty members, research students, and MA students are welcome. No registration is needed. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.