The idea of a Chinese Universities Shakespeare Festival had diverse origins. Mr Richard S. Liu first suggested the idea of a Shakespeare Festival. Professor David Parker thought of the idea of a competition among Chinese Universities -- taking advantage of the annual Round Table Conference of Heads of English Departments in Chinese Comprehensive Universities, as a way to enrich the network of friendship and cooperation among neighboring Departments.

Further ideas were added by the other members of the organizing committee, Mr Hardy Tsoi and Professor Jason Gleckman. The proposal was keenly supported by Mr. Liu and Mr. Leslie W.K. Chung, his partner in the Dr. Tien Chang-Lin Technology Innovation Foundation. And so the Shakespeare Festival was born.

The First Festival was held at the Chinese University of Hong in January 2005. The winning team came from Peking University.

The Festival is co-organized by the Department of English and the Office of the Arts Administrator at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and its primary sponsor is the Dr. Tien Chang-Lin Technology Innovation Foundation. The Shakespeare Festival provides an exciting annual opportunity to integrate Chinese and Western cultures and promote student achievement in the arts.