ExCo Non-official Members visit East Rail Line cross-harbour extension stations and Hong Kong Palace Museum (with photos)
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Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) today (May 5) visited the new Exhibition Centre Station and the extension part of Admiralty Station of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension, as well as the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), to learn about the preparations for the opening of the two important pieces of transportation and cultural infrastructure.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan; the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport), Ms Mable Chan; the Chairman of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), Dr Rex Auyeung; the MTRCL Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jacob Kam; and the MTRCL Managing Director - Mainland China Business and Global Operations Standards, Mr Adi Lau, the ExCo Non-official Members first visited the extension part of Admiralty Station. The station's extension part will come into use upon the commissioning of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension, with Admiralty Station becoming the only four-line interchange mega station. The Members then took a special train from Admiralty Station to Exhibition Centre Station to see artwork by a local artist, one of the World War II bombs discovered during the station construction, and the display in the station showcasing the evolution of the East Rail Line over 100 years.
The ExCo Non-official Members gladly noted that the MTRCL has geared up for the opening of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension on May 15. From that date onwards, passengers of the East Rail Line will be able to reach Wan Chai North and Admiralty without having to change trains, which will significantly reduce travelling time. With the commissioning of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension, the four interchange stations of the East Rail Line will link up five railway lines to provide a better rail network for the public. The Members thanked the relevant government departments and the MTRCL for the efforts made to realise this key infrastructure.
Afterwards, the ExCo Non-official Members visited the WKCD. Accompanied by the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Joe Wong; the Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), Mr Henry Tang; the Chief Executive Officer of the WKCDA, Mrs Betty Fung; the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (District Development) of the WKCDA, Ms Wendy Gan; and the Museum Director of the HKPM, Dr Louis Ng, the Members toured the HKPM. The Chairman of the Hong Kong Palace Museum Limited and Convenor of the ExCo Non-official Members, Mr Bernard Chan, was also present to welcome the ExCo Non-official Members. The museum, with a design integrating Chinese art and architecture, as well as Hong Kong's urban environment, is scheduled to open in July 2022.
The ExCo Non-official Members are keenly awaiting the museum's new curatorial approaches in presenting treasures from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world with a view to promoting the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture among the public. The Members expressed their belief that, after the opening of the HKPM and together with M+ and the Xiqu Centre that opened in late 2021 and 2019 respectively, the WKCD comprising world-class museums and performance venues will become a platform for interaction and collaboration among cultural institutions from around the world, reflecting Hong Kong's pluralistic cultural environment where Chinese and Western cultures meet and strengthening the city's position as an international arts and cultural hub.
Apart from Convenor Mr Bernard Chan, the ExCo Non-official Members joining today's visits were Mr Arthur Li, Mr Chow Chung-kong, Mrs Fanny Law, Mr Jeffrey Lam, Mr Ip Kwok-him, Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Joseph Yam, Mrs Regina Ip, Dr Lam Ching-choi, Mr Kenneth Lau and Mr Horace Cheung.
Ends/Thursday, May 5, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:27
Issued at HKT 19:27
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