From Wild Swans to the Empress Dowager Cixi – Jung Chang, in conversation

The Royal Geographical Society of Hong Kong welcomes ex-red guard Dr Jung Chang to speak on “From Wild Swans to Empress Dowager Cixi”, in conversation with James Riley. At the event, the world-famous author Dr Jung Chang discusses the themes of her celebrated book, Wild Swans, leading on to talk about the subject of her most recent book, the Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China.

In Wild Swans, Dr Chang’s family autobiography, she tells the story of her family, primarily during the Cultural Revolution, an extraordinary tale which led her to international fame. While Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China examines the life of one of the most important women in Chinese history, who ruled China for decades, bringing a medieval empire into the modern age. The 16-year-old Cixi was chosen as one of the emperor’s numerous concubines. Her five-year-old son having succeeded to the throne, Cixi at once launched a palace coup making herself the real ruler of China, behind the throne, literally, with a silk screen separating her from her male officials.

Book signing and complimentary drinks reception 6.30pm; lecture 7.30pm.

What: From Wild Swans to the Empress Dowager Cixi: Dr Jung Chang in conversation
When: 6:30pm, 29 October, 2013
Where: The Jardine Penthouse, 48/F Jardine House, One Connaught Place
How Much: $150 for Royal Geographical Society of Hong Kong members and $200 non-members, tickets from [email protected]