The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
 
     Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Members) today (June 26) visited Tai Kwun to learn about the revitalisation of the Central Police Station (CPS) Compound and the arrangements of its opening to the public.
 
     Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the ExCo Members first visited the exhibition "100 Faces of Tai Kwun" at the Duplex Studio of Block 01. The exhibition immerses visitors in 100 stories, collected from 100 neighbours and friends in the past two years, detailing the relationship between Tai Kwun and local livelihoods from various perspectives.
 
     After going to the visitor centre at Block 03, formerly the Barrack Block, the ExCo Members proceeded to the exhibition "Life in Victoria Prison" at a heritage storytelling space at Block 12 to understand prison life in the past. There are eight designated heritage storytelling spaces inside Tai Kwun, and they feature the history, stories and lives of people in different ways.  
 
     The CPS Compound Revitalisation Project was carried out in partnership between the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and is Hong Kong's largest heritage conservation and revitalisation project. It comprises three declared monuments - the former CPS, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison - and a newly built art gallery and auditorium. It aims to enhance Hong Kong's status as a culturally vibrant city through transforming the historic site into a leading culture and leisure destination, where heritage, contemporary art and leisure elements are creatively integrated for all to enjoy.
 
     The ExCo Members were later briefed on two contemporary art exhibitions associated with Tai Kwun, and subsequently visited a library housing books on Asian artists that is accessible to the public free of charge.
 
     Appreciating the outstanding preservation and revitalisation of the CPS Compound as the new landmark of Hong Kong, the ExCo Members said the project has opened a new chapter in Central's history and injects new energy into the central business district of Hong Kong. They thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its dedicated effort and hefty investment to restore the CPS Compound, leaving an important cultural legacy that can make Hong Kong proud for many years to come.
 
     Non-official Members joining the visit today were Convenor Mr Bernard Chan, Professor Arthur Li, Mr Chow Chung-kong, Mrs Fanny Law, Mr Ip Kwok-him, Mr Martin Liao, Mr Joseph Yam and Dr Lam Ching-choi.
 

Ends/Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:00

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