The Hong Kong Museum of History will launch the exhibition "Striving and Transforming – The History of Hong Kong Industry" tomorrow (June 17). Featuring some 1,200 exhibits of classic Hong Kong-made products, the exhibition reviews the history of Hong Kong industry over the past century, shows how industrialists strived for success, and pays tribute to the working class for their contributions to the booming of industry.
As early as the 19th century, while there were family workshops, a number of foreign merchants also developed industries in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's industry germinated in the early 20th century as Chinese industrialists started taking part, triggering diversification, greater use of machinery and increases in production capacity. This was reflected by the production of firecrackers, electric torches, pressure lanterns, footwear and knitwear, which were popular in overseas markets.
After World War II, Hong Kong was transformed from an entrepôt to an export-oriented industrial economy, with its export volume leading the world. Hong Kong industry celebrated its heyday in the 1970s. Worldwide bestselling products like transistor radios, plastic goods, toys, garments, timepieces, vacuum flasks and cameras represented how "Made in Hong Kong" became an internationally recognised brand. In recent years, Hong Kong industries have undergone another structural change, but Hong Kong has remained a base for decision making, product design and promotion, and is also exploring new possibilities in the high-technology and creative industries.
Co-organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the exhibition will be held at the Special Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Museum of History and will run until August 24. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at hk.history.museum/en_US/web/mh/exhibition/current.html, or call 2724 9042 for enquiries.
In view of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Hong Kong Museum of History will be partially open. Special arrangements and precautionary measures will be implemented to help ensure public safety. Visits will be arranged in sessions to limit visitor flow. Visitors to the museum will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They are also advised to wear their own masks. For details, please visit hk.history.museum/en_US/web/mh/plan-your-visit/admission.html.
The Hong Kong Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui.
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