---

10 June 2010
HKAS Newsletter: Archives Law Issue 2

The chairman Danny Chin had attended the Constitutional Panel, LegCo along with others on 17 May 2010, and made a 5-minute plea for archives law.

Letter to Legislative Council complaint 28 May 2010

On 2010 05 28 the Hong Kong Archives Society had lodged a complaint against the Government Records Services, drafted by Mr. Simon CHU and signed by the HKAS Chairman Mr. Danny Chin. 

On 28 May 2010 the Hong Kong Archives Society lodged a complaint against the Government Records Services, drafted by Mr. Simon CHU and signed by the HKAS Chairman Mr. Danny Chin. 

This letter indicates the following situation in the GRS: 

- No archives law to regulate its records and archives management

- B/Ds transfer records to the archives are at stake, records were lost or destroyed without GRS’ prior knowledge

- Non-professional Executives Officers to replace Archivists

- Huge backlog, of over 250,000 items of records

- Archival materials are allowed to be “checked out” for use by B/Ds

- Electronic records policy in doubt

---

1 May 2010
HKAS Newsletter: Archives Law Issue 1

Dear members of HKAS,

Hong Kong is an advance city in many regards. In cultural matters, Hong Kong is lagging behind other cities or countries in Asian area, especially in the area of archives law. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction in Asia that does not have an archives law. Macau and other Chinese cities and provinces all have archives as legally stipulated. Macau's archives law, along with its implementation, has contributed to the preservation of Macau's heritage.

Hong Kong needs an archives law not only because it would preserve government documents for materials as our heritage, it would also benefit research into various aspects of Hong Kong society in the long run and contribute to accountability on the part of the government. It is ironic that Hong Kong government has so far been unwilling to have an archives law, while at the same time keeps telling the public it is a responsible government and thus accountable for its policies and actions. By relying solely on administrative order, many government documents are unaccounted for, and archival practices are not up to professional standards. The public simply does not know the full extent of the preservation of the documents in questions.

Hong Kong Archives Society will continue to promote awareness of the need of an archives law in Hong Kong, and work with other individuals and bodies for an eventual passage of an archives law. We need your support and ideas.

Danny Chin
Chairman of HKAS
1st May, 2010

Condition for application: If numbers of registration exceed the quota of intake, one vacancy will be allotted to one institute only. HKAS members will have the priority for enrollment. Successful applicants will be notified before 1st March, 2010 and cheques from unsuccessful applicants will be returned. 

Please fill the attached registration form and send back to GPO Box 8374 Hong Kong together with a cheque payable to “Hong Kong Archives Society” before 15th February, 2010. 

Application Form