Speech by Mr Ng Yew Kang, Chairman, Chinese Overseas Databank

Speech by Mr Ng Yew Kang Chairman, Committee on Chinese Overseas Databank and Director Corporate and International Relations, National Library Board at the launch of HuayiNet on 11 Feb 2000 at 11.00 am at Library@Orchard 391 Orchard Road, #05-22/26, Podium Block, Ngee Ann City

1.

The Committee on Chinese Overseas Databank is greatly honoured by your presence here this morning to witness the official launch of HuayiNet. HuayiNet is a non-profit databank jointly developed by nine major libraries, research, heritage and community institutions in Singapore to foster greater co-operation among, and understanding of ethnic Chinese communities living outside mainland China, Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan. Although based in Singapore, HuayiNet is dedicated to provide a one-stop information channel serving the Chinese diaspora world-wide.

2.

For many years, the need for a comprehensive and easily accessible resource centre on the Chinese diaspora had been keenly felt by scholars, researchers and all interested in the subject. This is despite the presence of websites providing information on specific aspects of the subject already in existence in many countries.

3.

In 1996, Miss Chng Kim See, Head of ISEAS Library, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, advocated the setting up in Singapore of a regional resource centre for information and documentation on Southeast Asian Chinese Studies. She presented this idea in a concept paper at the annual conference, held in Beijing, of the International Federation of Library Associations. Despite generating wide interest, the large sums of money (estimated by her at S$10 m) needed for the project deterred its implementation.

4.

In 1998, the National Library Board invited Ms Chng to discuss and explore practical ways to give effect to her proposal. One possible approach identified then was to encourage the major institutions in Singapore to pool their resources by sharing information about their collections, aligning their collection policies to minimise duplication, and formulating an arrangement to facilitate co-operation and mutual sharing of information within their respective access policies. They were also to make their collections accessible to the public in and outside Singapore. This idea led to the formation of the Committee on Chinese Overseas Databank and Research Collection. Professor Wang Gungwu, Chairman of the Panel of Advisors to the Chinese Library Services of the National Library Board, invited the nine institutions to sit on the committee.

5.

The HuayiNet is the first tangible result of these co-operative efforts. In Phase 1 of its development, the HuayiNet will provide information on collections of major institutions in Singapore. It will also provide a bulletin board carrying major events on ethnic Chinese communities worldwide such as conferences and seminars, new publications, and linkages to other relevant websites developed in Singapore and other countries. In Phase 2, information on the collections of institutions and individuals outside Singapore, a discussion forum, a database and an e-commerce capability will be included. As many of these features will be available in the Chinese Virtual Community which the National Library Board is developing, the Committee will explore the feasibility of synergistic relations with the CVC. At the launch, the HuayiNet will be mainly in English to reach out to the non-Chinese speaking persons. A brief Chinese version is provided at this stage, but a full Chinese edition will be incorporated in Phase 2.

6.

I would like to thank my fellow committee members and the institutions they represent for the unreserved support they gave to this project. I would also like to thank all institutions and organisations in Singapore which provided information on their collections for inclusion in the HuayiNet. My special thanks go to the Chairman, Yayasan Lee in Malaysia for his generous support to enable the Committee to develop the HuayiNet. He has also pledged support for the next few years. I hope other foundations, institutions and individuals in Singapore and abroad could support the further development of the HuayiNet. All contributions in cash and kind are greatly appreciated. Cash donations are exempted from Singapore's company or income tax. Organisations and individuals may also lend or donate primary resource materials in their possession to the Committee's member institutions. Many of them have the interests and resources to preserve these valuable materials and facilitate their access to the public through electronic means.

7.

On this note, I wish one and all, a prosperous and fruitful Year of the Golden Dragon. Thank you.