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In local archeology, there used to be one surprise among the uninitiated, i.e., the human history of Hong Kong dates back not just a few hundred years, but at least 6,000. Now there is another, that despite Hong Kong's minuscule landmass and the relative infancy of its systematic archeological research, the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) has won international kudos and awards in three of the last five years.

Playing a crucial role in this no mean achievement is the Executive Secretary of AMO, Mr Chiu Siu-tsan, who had spent so far 20 tireless years towards the preservation of Hong Kong's heritage.

In reflecting on the changing mood of the community and shifting priorities of the Government, Mr Chiu observed: "Since the handover, there has been a greater interest and desire on the part of both the Government and the public to preserve and convert Hong Kong's archeological heritage into 'living relics' so that they become an integral part of the community and not just untouchable display items."

"It is no longer true that all Hong Kong people are too wrapped up in making money to pay heed and appreciate their heritage. Perhaps a majority of them still does but a significant minority is demanding spiritual sustenance from Hong Kong's rich heritage, be it archeological relics, historical buildings, traditional and cultural practices and all manners of antiquities.

"What is ironic is that in the old days, the Government seemingly was forced by limited resources to cater to the basic needs of the people first, especially housing, relegating heritage preservation to the bottom of its list of priorities. But now, there are abundant examples of how successful protection, utilization and promotion of restored historical relics can become money spinners in terms of the profits it generates from visitors, not to mention the incalculable joy it brings to local residents and foreign visitors alike.

"Good cases in point include the Clarke Quay in Singapore where 19th century godowns and shophouses are restored to their original splendor and taken over by restaurants, pubs and curio shops fronting pedestrianized streets. The Xintiandi in Shanghai is another successful example where restored historic buildings can be put to good use and become viable commercial operations. And Macau's cobblestone-paved streets and European villas promises to bring visitors back to a by-gone era. Given the appropriate enabling legislation, there is no reason why Hong Kong cannot be equally successful in creating such tourist draws, while preserving the integrity of our unique heritage," said the scholarly Mr Chiu who took over the helm at AMO in 1996.

Mr Chiu's self-confidence was not unfounded. The AMO joining the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to carry out the rescue excavation of a late Neolithic burial site affected by a large-scale residential development at Tung Wan Tsai North, Ma Wan was recognized by Mainland China's archeologists in 1997 as one of the country's top ten archeological achievements of that year.

This honour was proven to be no fluke in quick succession in the last two years. In 2000, AMO clinched the Outstanding Project Award by UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 for its restoration of Hung Shing Temple on Kau Sai Chau and repeated the feat the following year for its restoration of King Law Ka Shuk in Tai Po.

Established in 1976 when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance was enforced to ensure that the best examples of Hong Kong heritage are protected for posterity, the AMO now has a total of 50 staff, 26 of them of professional curatorial grade. Its delegated duty is to search for, identify and record a wide range of historical buildings and structures, as well as archeological sites. Recorded buildings and sites are also classified in accordance with their importance. So far, over 900 historical buildings and structures and archeological sites have been recorded and graded.

Asked what was the biggest obstacle confronting the AMO. Mr Chiu sighed: "Still a shortage of manpower. Although our total staff strength was increased from 38 in 1999 to the current 50, and our budget went up from $17 million to $27 million in the same two-year period, this is still woefully inadequate. To put things in their proper perspective, they are expected to monitor 250 archeological sites, appraise the architectural and historical value of more than 9,500 pre-war buildings and recommend protective measures as and when necessary."

"It is partly to deal with this perennial manpower shortage problem as well as to give people interested in preserving our heritage an opportunity to make concrete contributions that we launched in 1997 the 'Friends of Heritage' volunteer service project. More than 400 individuals have since registered with us. But we can always use more help. And I appeal to all interested individuals to contact us (tel. 27212326).

"We're also happy to note that this increased awareness and importance attached to heritage preservation seemed to have also reached the boardrooms. We have found that corporations are now more willing to loosen their money belts to finance specific preservation projects. Donations of $3,048,000 and $1,720,000 were received respectively in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 from the commercial sector to undertake preservation or restoration work.

"This turnaround may, in part, be due to the realization that heritage preservation need not be done purely for preservation's sake. If done properly, some restoration projects can be turned into self-sustaining projects apart from the joy they can bring to visitors. They can even be promoted as tourist attractions, further strengthening our tourism industry," Mr Chiu added.

Indeed, tourism has become one of Hong Kong's most important industries, attracting a record 13.73 million visitors in 2001, or more than 37,000 visitors a day. It generated some $76.4 billion in earnings in 2000, or about five per cent of Hong Kong's gross domestic product.

"But one of the most important turning points in local heritage preservation was when the Chief Executive spoke in his 1998 Policy Address on the need to promote our heritage to foster a sense of belonging and identity. A review of the heritage policy was also ordered in 1999," Mr. Chiu said.

Of equal importance, and in response to the Chief Executive's call in his 1998 Policy Address, was the Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) establishment of a Heritage Tourism Task Force comprising representatives from the Government, travel industry and heritage professionals. The Task Force was given the brief to focus on individual initiatives and on a broader strategy for promoting our heritage sites and developing opportunities for joint promotions with the Mainland and other regional destinations.

Important projects launched under the auspices of the Task Force included the production of an interactive CD-ROM and Cultural Sequence Chart highlighting Hong Kong's 6,000-year history, brochures introducing visitors to the declared monuments in Hong Kong and guidebooks on heritage buildings, heritage trails and traditional Chinese festivals and the training of tour co-ordinators.

Other significant initiatives introduced by the Task Force involved the commissioning of a study to assess the tourism development potential of the former Marine Police Headquarters and the standardization of signs and information boards for heritage sites, with the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail as pilot scheme.

A survey conducted by the HKTB in 2000 showed that 17 per cent of the 20,000 visitors it interviewed expressed interest in heritage-related activities.

While guided tours to heritage sites are regularly organized by commercial tour operators, visitors who prefer to explore Hong Kong's heritage on their own are advised to obtain printed guides from the AMO at 136 Nathan Road. Heritage guides produced by the AMO so far covered the Central and Western Heritage Trail, the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail and the Ping Shan Heritage Trail.

"For many of our stressed out residents, rather than getting further aggravated in crowded restaurants or shopping malls on weekends, why not try the more intellectually challenging and culturally more satisfying alternative of exploring many of our heritage sites and trails. Many of them will also get their much needed healthy quota of physical exercise in the process," suggested Mr Chiu.

End/Sunday, February 24, 2002

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