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Wong Chi Ching is one of the book donors of ICARE Book Fair. A graduate in Chinese
Language of CUHK in 1961, Wong has a deep connection with books which pans over a
few decades. His book shop has been providing books for renowned universities around
the world and Wong is a regular of libraries across Europe.
Wong’s connection with books dates back to his younger days when living in Central, an
area full of book shops and publishers. His monthly visit to book shops has soon changed
to become a weekly activity. On almost every Saturday when he visited a particular book
shop, he would see Jao Tsung I there.
Since graduation from CUHK, Wong has been working hard to achieve his aim i.e. opening
a book shop. He works through his way to support the rental for his friend’s place for selling
books. After a few years, the stock increased and the time came for him to rent a 400
square feet unit in Central as office. One step at a time, Wong is heading towards his goal.
In 1968, Dr. Alfred Chiu Kaiming became the first Librarian of CUHK upon retirement from
Harvard University and approached Wong to supply good books, including very rare and
valuable collection dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. From then on, two book lovers have
been walking side by side in the world of books. Wong’s business expanded to Europe,
the U.S, Japan Australia with Dr. Chiu’s help.
All this was made possible in the 1970’s when Hong Kong’s economy started to roar with
population expansion. Rapid redevelopment of properties resulted in the large number
of books being disposed by residents. The Cultural Revolution saw the destruction of old
books and a halt of new publications and yet at the same time, libraries and universities
around the world had high demand to enhance their collection. Wong’s stock, often
bought in bulk weekly, was sold almost instantaneously. This benefited Wong to buy
office and storage space as a result.
Wong’s connection with books also came with regrets and danger. In the 70’s, Wong
received a series of magazines composed by expert on Taiping Kingdom of Heaven, Jen
Youwen. Wong sold it to Princeton University and could only acquire not more than five
issues of the magazine from then on. Wong regretted his decision as he realized that the
best collection should have remained in Hong Kong instead of being sold to overseas.
After the Cultural Revolution, Wong was invited by Kang Youwei’s son-in-law Li Yun
Guang to go back to the mainland in 1979, only to find out that he was asked to safe-
keep Kang’s manuscripts and books. Wong and Li took pains and great risk to make sure
that the valuable items were safely guarded from Beijing to Hong Kong.
Love what you choose. Choose what you love. It is easier said than done. Wong puts all his
money and effort in books and even risks his life in his belief of books. It is not even beneficial
in the material sense. All this happen just because there is a way of the books as he believes.
His penchant for books enables them to stay on and so do his good will.
量藏書。另一方面，一九六六年至一九七六年期間，中國內地爆發文化大革命，舊
書銷毀，新書停刊，書籍的供應量不足。同一時間，海外的圖書館進行大量採購，
美國、日本等地的大學更擔心購書太遲，失落瑰寶。碰上時代機緣，書店每週買入
大量舊書，隨即便可出售。也因如此，這一切成為他可以買寫字樓、買貨倉藏書的
契機。
因書之名 一次可惜 一次受脅
除了志業與同路，書，這個一生所伴，亦為黃志清先生留下兩次深刻的回憶。
第一次，是可惜。在七十年代，黃先生曾收到一套由熟悉太平天國的專家簡又文先
生編撰的《大風雜誌》，一共九十九期。當時，他將這套書轉賣予美國普林斯頓大
學圖書館，但及後四十年間，他只能收購到零零星星、不多於五期的《大風雜誌》。
若單從商人的目光看，按市場買賣，不無道理。黃先生深感可惜，只因他認為，最
好的藏書，應留在香港，不應賣出海外。
第二次，是生命受到威脅。一九七九年，文化大革命結束後，中文系的李雲光老師
來找黃先生，邀請他一同前往北京。黃先生說，當時誤以為李老師只約他去旅遊，
故一口答應。怎料李雲光老師原來是康有為的女婿，李老師的岳母邀請他到康有為
故居，將康氏的手稿和書籍帶走。此行的目的，其實是要收集文物，以保存一段歷史，
而此行是一次以身犯險的旅途。黃先生雖然害怕，但君子之約難以推卻。
最終，二人就從康有為位於北京的四合院故居，冒險將兩大箱手稿和書籍隨身携帶，
用盡千方百計才能過關。回港後，李老師讓黃先生拿走一本以作答謝，但黃先生拒
絕，原因是這兩箱書是李老師受康有為家人的委託，這兩箱書正是李老師要肩負起
的責任。
愛書這回事
選擇你所愛，愛你所選擇，這口號人人都懂。然而，又有多少人能像黃先生般，對
自己鍾愛之事物矢志不移 ? 身處香港經濟起飛的年代，黃先生依舊將金錢和心力投
放在書業，一個在香港難以「發圍」的行業。因書之名而可能遇上生命危險，黃先
生卻迎難而上，只為道義，不為取書。
曹雪芹在紅樓夢寫道：「都云作者痴，誰解其中味 ? 」從黃志清先生的一生，我們
讀到愛書者的「痴」，絕不下寫書的人。他對書的痴愛，讓好書能存於世，讓好意
能流於世。
Book Connects -
Wong Chi Ching, ICARE book donor
