To celebrate the centenary of the chiming of the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower Bell, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (December 9) held the Chiming Ceremony to Commemorate the Centenary of the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower Bell at the Viewing Deck of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza. The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui; the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Mr Douglas So; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu, officiated at the ceremony. On this memorable date, the sound of the Clock Tower Bell was brought back at 6pm to report the time today.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Tsui expressed his gratitude to the expert advisors and departments for bringing back the sound of the Clock Tower Bell chime after 70 years. He said that the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Kowloon Terminus was located at the present site of the HKCC. The former Kowloon Terminus was the southernmost railway station of China which served as a gateway between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Clock Tower of the Terminus has witnessed the advancement of Hong Kong and holds the fond memories and close bonds among people in the Mainland and Hong Kong.

     The former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower, known as the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, is one of the key landmarks of Hong Kong. The sound of the Bell is brought back again to report the time. This is not only a precious memory of an older generation, but also a wonderful recollection of the new generations. The loud and bright sound of the Bell will give a new impetus to society and add vibrant colour to the Clock Tower and the Victoria Harbour Promenade. The Bell's chime will be brought back and report the time via a digital bell system synchronised with the web clock of the Hong Kong Observatory, sounding hourly every day between 8am and midnight.

     The LCSD would like to deepen the public understanding on Hong Kong history through this celebratory activity. In this regard, the HKCC will launch a series of activities to present the Clock Tower from different perspectives. They include the "Centenary of the Bell - Resonance of Time" exhibition to be held from tomorrow (December 10) to December 24 at the Foyer Exhibition Area at the HKCC; and four Clock Tower Paper Model Workshops to be held on December 18 and 19. The two afternoon workshops will be live-streamed. For details of the programmes, please visit the "Centenary of the Bell" thematic website www.hkculturalcentre.gov.hk/en/hkcc/TSTClockTower.html.
 
     The Clock Tower was built in 1915. The Bell of the Clock Tower, which began service in 1921 and ceased operation in 1950, has a history of 100 years. The Clock Tower was declared a monument in 1990.

Ends/Thursday, December 9, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:39

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