China's Treasures in Royal Navy Voyage: 1935 London Exhibition by Sir David Percival Talk (Putonghua & Cantonese)

This lecture revisits the landmark International Exhibition of Chinese Art held in London in 1935, initiated by Sir David Percival. It traces how imperial treasures from the Forbidden City journeyed overseas aboard the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Suffolk, transforming a collectors' proposal into a milestone in Sino‑British cultural exchange. Drawing on archival records, memoirs, and press reports, the talk highlights the maritime dimension of this cultural voyage on the eve of World War II.

About Prof Fan Liya:

She holds a PhD from the University of Tokyo and studied under renowned art historian Professor Shih Shou-chien, undertaking a postdoctoral project on “Chinese Painting after 1900 and Its Interaction with the West.” She is currently a Research Collaborator at the Modern China Research Center, Institute for Research in Humanities, Kyoto University, and Distinguished Professor at the School of Arts and Humanities, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts. She also serves as…