Writer-turned-government-minister Lung Ying-tai's talk on Saturday at University of Hong Kong, on the theme My Hong Kong, My Taiwan, attracted thousands of fans.
The eloquent speech, and equally thought-provoking questions from the floor, carried over to the post-talk party at the university vice-chancellor's residence.
"It's like a dream to me to see you all, and familiar faces are what gave me strength to deliver the speech tonight. Credit to you all," Lung, Taiwan's culture minister, told guests.
Hosted by vice-chancellor Professor Tsui Lap-chee, the gathering featured a mix of academics, media and the minister's associates, the latter including Taiwan's top hotel executive and philanthropist Stanley Yen, Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Centre director Katherine Lee Ying-ping, and actress Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia.
Lin, a long-time friend of Lung and reportedly her image consultant, is no stranger to the campus.
She delivered soup and snacks during Lung's intensive work at her studio in the Sir Robert Black College of Education, which produced the acclaimed opus Big River, Big Sea - Untold Stories of 1949.