The Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) will launch three new exhibitions of the "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" from tomorrow (November 27). The exhibition series offers an in-depth exploration of topics such as local community development, local ethnic groups and connections between Hong Kong and overseas Chinese, aiming to provide a comprehensive introduction to the unique urban development context of Hong Kong and the factors that have contributed to the city's success.

     The "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" is the first phase of the revamped permanent exhibition of the HKMH. The three new exhibitions, namely the "Yau Tsim Mong – The Urban Transition and Community Bonds", the "Estórias Lusas – Stories of the Hong Kong Portuguese" and the "Sojourning in Gold Mountain – Hong Kong and the Lives of Overseas Chinese in California" exhibitions will be held at the exhibition galleries on the 2/F and M/F of the HKMH respectively. Admission is free.

     Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition today (November 26), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said these three exhibitions, each with different themes, share a common entry point: Hong Kong is the place, where East meets West with a racial diversity and inclusion, and connection to the world.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Consul-General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, Mr Alexandre Leitão; the Chairman of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Douglas So; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam; and the Museum Director of the HKMH, Mr Terence Cheung.
 
     While each of the 18 districts in Hong Kong has a distinct story, Yau Tsim Mong District is the most prosperous region in Kowloon and the most diverse district in the territory of Hong Kong. The "Yau Tsim Mong – The Urban Transition and Community Bonds" exhibition will introduce the development change of Yau Tsim Mong District from the early 19th century to the present through nearly 200 exhibits, inviting the audience to explore the historical traces behind the bustling urban scene, with the district as an epitome of Hong Kong. The exhibition is divided into 10 zones which cover industrial factories in Yau Tsim Mong district, the living environment, transport, shops, leisure and culture, as well as the most iconic areas in the district, namely the KCR Clock Tower, Chungking Mansions and Temple Street Night Market. Highlight exhibits include a poster of the Orient Tobacco Manufactory of Hongkong, founded as early as 1908, a commemorative plaque for the completion of Kwong Wah Hospital in 1911, a plaque and a bell of MV Man Wing of Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry in 1952, and a sales brochure for Chungking Mansions in 1961.

     Coming from Macao from the mid-19th century onwards, the Portuguese people formed one of the earliest foreign communities in Hong Kong. The "Estórias Lusas – Stories of the Hong Kong Portuguese" exhibition traces the numerous fields of endeavours and contributions of the Hong Kong Portuguese community and introduces their distinctive traditions and culture through showcasing over 250 exhibits from Portuguese families and organisations. Highlight exhibits include the 200-year-old porcelain plate made in Guangzhou bearing the Barretto family crest, and the watercolour painting of the Club Lusitano inauguration in 1866, the most significant cultural landmark for the Hong Kong Portuguese community. The exhibition also features numerous exhibits from prominent Portuguese figures in Hong Kong, such as the chain of office during Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales' term as the first unofficial Chairman of the former Urban Council, and famous jockey and horse trainer Tony Cruz's first Lusitano Cup. The exhibition also features many audiovisual and interactive multimedia programmes. In the zone decorated as the Sala de Encontro (meeting lounge) of a Portuguese home, the programmes invite the audience to have a taste of classic Macanese food, learn the Macanese dialect, get to know the practice of the Catholic faith and the Hong Kong Portuguese community's distinctive traditions and culture in a lively way.
 
     Starting from the mid-19th century, Hong Kong served as the main port of departure and return for Chinese emigrants and as an entrepôt for their trading activities. Between 1850 and 1939, more than 6.3 million Chinese emigrated through Hong Kong to foreign destinations. The "Sojourning in Gold Mountain – Hong Kong and the Lives of Overseas Chinese in California" exhibition introduces the history of early Chinese emigrating to California through Hong Kong to make a living, showcasing challenges and difficulties faced by overseas Chinese in tandem with their affection towards the motherland, from which the role of Hong Kong as an "in-between place" can be fully demonstrated. To showcase the life of Chinese living abroad, multiple settings are reconstructed in the exhibition, including the Angel Island Immigration Station where Chinese were interrogated before being allowed to enter the United States, the Chew Kee Grocery Store located in Fiddletown, California, and the Kwan Tai Temple in Hanford, California.
 
     Many exhibits are loaned from overseas Chinese individuals and associations in California, including the largest exhibit inside the gallery, a golden dragon made by Kam Yuk Lau, Hong Kong, in 1931, which was transported to Marysville and used in traditional dragon dances to celebrate the Bok Kai Festival in the second month of every Lunar New Year; couplets for the inauguration of the Sam Yup Benevolent Association, Hanford, in 1886; and a banner from the "Bowl of Rice Parties" held by Chinese immigrants in San Francisco in support of China's War against Japanese Aggression in the 1930s.

     To tie in with the exhibition series, a rich array of side programmes will be held by the HKMH. Programmes include thematic lectures, outdoor field visits to discover the community history of Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok areas, and a series of workshops.
 
     The "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and organised by the HKMH. For details of the exhibition and programmes, please visit hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/exhibition/Multifaceted-Hong-Kong-Exhibition-Series.html, or call 2724 9042 for enquiries.

                                

     A Hong Kong resident was charged with one count of attempting to obtain services by deception and one count of making false statutory declaration. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (November 25). He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment for each charge, and the sentences are to run concurrently.
 
     The 64-year-old male Hong Kong resident defendant married a 28-year-old Mainland woman in Hong Kong in September 2019. Subsequently, the Mainland woman successfully obtained a Confirmation Certificate on Delivery Booking from a private hospital for delivery services by virtue of her marital relationship with the defendant. The Mainland woman arrived in Hong Kong in March 2020. Upon her application of extension of stay in June 2020, the Immigration Department (ImmD) cast doubts on their marital relationship and the parentage of the expectant baby concerning the defendant, and the application for extension of stay was refused, which led to an investigation against the defendant and the Mainland pregnant woman. The Mainland pregnant woman could not give birth in Hong Kong eventually.
 
     During the investigation, the defendant admitted that he made a false declaration at the Home Affairs Department, claiming to be the biological father of the expectant baby even though he knew that the expectant baby was not born to him, in order to enable the Mainland pregnant woman to obtain a Confirmation Certificate on Delivery Booking for delivery in Hong Kong.
 
     "The Immigration Department is concerned about the situation of non-local pregnant women seeking to give birth in Hong Kong by illegal means. While great efforts are made to intercept non-local pregnant women without a confinement booking at the control points, vigorous enforcement actions have also been taken to combat related immigration offences committed by non-local pregnant women and their abettors," an Immigration Department spokesman said.

     The spokesman warned that under the Theft Ordinance, a person who by any deception dishonestly obtains services from another shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, upon conviction, to the maximum penalty of imprisonment for 10 years. Moreover, under the Crimes Ordinance, a person who knowingly and wilfully makes a false statutory declaration shall be liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to the maximum penalty of imprisonment for two years.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, promulgated the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development (the Blueprint) today (November 26), setting out a clear vision, principles and strategic directions for the future development of the arts, culture and creative industries to further consolidate Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.
      
     Mr Yeung said, "The Blueprint is a comprehensive policy document of the Government on the long-term development of the arts, culture and creative industries. It sets out a clear vision, principles and strategic directions to foster future development to enhance the appeal of Hong Kong's culture, while at the same time boost citizens' sense of achievement and happiness, and further consolidate Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges and build a diversified cultural environment."
      
     The Blueprint sets out a total of 71 measures under four strategic directions. The strategic directions and the relevant highlights are as follows:
 
(1) Promote Profound Traditional Chinese Culture and Develop Cultural Contents with Hong Kong Character
 

• Enhance the structure of museums to enrich Hong Kong people's understanding of Chinese culture and at the same time attract tourists to drive the economy;
• Promote the cultural characteristics of the Lingnan legacy, promote the safeguarding and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage and strengthen collaboration with other cities in the Greater Bay Area;
• Promote profound traditional Chinese culture by organising and subsidising more activities, exchanges and collaboration related to Chinese culture and history; and
• Nurture talents who are familiar with profound traditional Chinese culture and complement work on patriotic education.

(2) Develop Diverse Arts and Culture Industries with International Perspective
 

• Develop Hong Kong as the "capital of creativity" to foster and support the development of local culture and creative industries;
• Develop Hong Kong as the "capital of pop culture";
• Improve the quantity and quality of hardware to facilitate the development of the cultural and creative industries; and
• Enhance the cultural environment and broaden audience participation with a view to improving the achievements and satisfaction of Hong Kong people.

(3) Establish International Platforms to Foster East-meets-West Arts and Cultural Exchanges
 

• Consolidate Hong Kong's position as the "capital of international mega arts and cultural events" by hosting and supporting more large-scale, diverse and innovative arts and cultural events, thereby providing a platform for cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world while promoting a mega-events economy;
• Utilise Hong Kong's internationalised curatorial and creative skills to promote profound traditional Chinese culture and Hong Kong's unique culture locally and overseas, develop related arts and culture industries, and encourage the industry to participate in national arts and culture work; and
• Attract arts groups and practitioners from the Mainland and overseas to conduct cultural exchanges with Hong Kong.

(4) Enhance the Ecosystem for the Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
 

• Promote arts, culture and creativity and establish relevant industry chains in Hong Kong;
• Develop diverse pathways and nurture local talent, gather talent around the globe, and enhance ecological chains of the cultural and creative talent pool;
• Strengthen market forces to establish mutually beneficial relationships between the arts, cultural and creative industries, and the business sector;
• Support industries to explore the Mainland and international markets; and
• Provide better infrastructure and enhance conditions for developing the sectors as industries.

     Mr Yeung said, "The Blueprint is a starting point for us to continue taking forward our work building on the existing foundation. The Government will maintain close communication with the sectors with an open mind to review the priorities and action plans of the strategic directions and measures, and actively and pragmatically promote the long-term development of the arts, culture and creative industries."
      
     Mr Yeung also thanked the Culture Commission for its active participation since its establishment in March 2023. The Culture Commission has held six meetings so far, and held in-depth discussions over areas including Chinese culture promotion, international cultural exchanges, arts and cultural talent nuturing, and industry development, offering constructive and valuable advice to the Government during the formulation of the Blueprint.
      
     The Government will collaborate with major strategic partners, different industry stakeholders and the local arts and culture community, and will drive participation of the business sector and other areas to take forward measures set out in the Blueprint and drive the development of the arts, culture and creative industries together, taking into account the continuous development of society.
      
     The full text of the Blueprint has been uploaded to the website of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (www.cstb.gov.hk).

    

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, today (November 26) visited Zhuhai to attend and witness the signing ceremony of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)'s equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport.

     The Agreement of Shares Acquisition concerning the equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport was signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the AAHK, Mrs Vivian Cheung, and the Chairman of the Zhuhai Transportation Holdings Group, Mr Chen Weijia, in Zhuhai. Mr Lam; Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhuhai Municipal Committee and the Mayor of the Zhuhai Municipal Government, Mr Huang Zhihao; and the Chairman of the AAHK, Mr Fred Lam, witnessed the signing ceremony.

     The Zhuhai Municipal Government and the AAHK have been jointly operating and managing Zhuhai Airport since 2006, driving the continuous growth of passenger traffic and the expansion of the domestic aviation network, which shows that the co-operation between the two parties has achieved remarkable results. The commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has shortened the travelling distance between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, creating favourable conditions for the two places to further strengthen collaboration in their airports and aviation industries.

     With the support of the Central Government, the AAHK and the Zhuhai Municipal Government have been pressing ahead with the AAHK's equity acquisition of Zhuhai Airport according to market principles in the past few years with a view to promoting a deeper co-operation between the two airports. Today's signing ceremony of the Agreement of Shares Acquisition of Zhuhai Airport marks a new milestone for co-operation between two airports, providing a more solid foundation for enhancing passenger and cargo connectivity between the airports.

     Mr Lam Sai-hung said, "The National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have recognised Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been making continuous efforts in promoting the aviation development on multiple fronts, including fostering closer connections with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to achieve a multiple synergistic effect and proactively contribute to the development of a world-class airport cluster in the GBA. The deepened co-operation between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Zhuhai Airport today is one of the great examples of strong alliance with complementary advantages.

     "The long-awaited Three-Runway System of HKIA is about to come into operation, and the capacity of HKIA will increase significantly. The HKSAR Government will seize the opportunity by increasing our efforts to expand the aviation network and connect the whole nation through establishing an intermodal transport network with other cities in the GBA, leveraging Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' between the Mainland and the rest of the world. In this regard, we will work with Zhuhai to enhance the 'Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong' service, achieving greater synergy by integrating the international aviation network of HKIA and the domestic aviation network of Zhuhai Airport. We will also pursue co-operation in other aspects, including the development of the international air cargo business in collaboration with Zhuhai and taking forward the development of a high-end aviation industrial cluster, with an aim to realise a development plan which is mutually beneficial to the two places," he added.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visited the construction site of MTR Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line today (November 26) to learn about the latest progress of the project.

     At the Kwu Tung Station project site, Members received a briefing from representatives of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) on the project's engineering features and the construction progress of the station concourse and other facilities. Members noted that Kwu Tung Station will be the first new station in Hong Kong to be built on top of an operating railway tunnel. It will be located between Lok Ma Chau and Sheung Shui stations of the East Rail Line, being a new public transport hub for the future Kwu Tung North New Development Area. The bulk excavation work at Kwu Tung Station was completed in September this year, using the "cut and cover" construction method to excavate and remove the soil covering the tunnel structure. A lateral support system was then installed to support the weight of soil on both sides, and groundwater control was being implemented to ensure the stability of the tunnel structure and maintain the daily operations of the East Rail Line.

     Members then toured the construction site to understand how various smart devices and technologies such as the Common Data Environment were adopted for providing real-time updates on project planning and more effective monitoring of construction progress, aiming for completion of the entire project by 2027. During the visit, Members exchanged views with MTRCL and Government representatives on issues including the challenges of station construction, enhancing site safety, and ensuring the operations of the East Rail Line not to be affected.

     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Gary Zhang, and Subcommittee member Mr Yang Wing-kit; as well as non-Subcommittee members Dr Junius Ho, Ms Yung Hoi-yan and Mr Lau Kwok-fan.