About us

The Friends of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch was formed in 1998 by a group who had left Hong Kong around the time of the handover in 1997. These included the late David Gilkes, who was the founding chairman, the late Anita Wilson, Rosemary Lee, David Mahoney and the late Keith Stevens. Paul Bolding took over as chairman from David Gilkes in 2007.

We had thought interest would wane after a decade or so but we have around 70 members, still keen to enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie that the RASHKB represented.

The name was changed to The Friends of East Asia in 2024 as a response to the security law in Hong Kong, which might have limited what we can discuss.

We hold several talks a year, a Chinese New Year lunch and other events.

Our speakers have included many experts in their fields, such as Frances Wood, librarian, sinologist, historian and and former head of the Chinese Collection at the British Library, Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies, Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College, London, Robert Bickers, historian of modern China and colonialism and professor of history at the University of Bristol and Colin Sheaf, Deputy Chairman of Bonhams and Global Head of Asian Art. 

We have also had group trips away to places with an Asia connection. These include Durham, Cambridge, Oxford and Edinburgh as well as Paris and the graves of the Chinese Labour Corps in France and Belgium.

We mostly meet at rooms in St Anne’s Church, Dean Street in London’s Chinatown, with a Chinese meal nearby before the talks.

Go to the Contact Us page for joining details. We would love to have you as a member.

Paul Bolding

June 2025