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New Hong Kong museums announced to highlight Chinese nationalism

2 mins read
December 20, 2023

Site announcements for new museums are seen as another example of the city’s tighter relationship with China, and come in the wake of the city’s recent district councilor elections, which had a record-low turnout.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Currently in Sha Tin District, providing comprehensive exhibitions on history, art and culture.
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum. It may be axed in lieu of a Chinese historical museum. | © wing1990hk

Hong Kong announced this month that it plans to build a new museum in the Tsim Sha Tsui East area of Hong Kong which will highlight China’s development and achievements.

As a result, the city’s science museum – the most popular museum in the city with 1.1 million visitors — will be relocated to the Sha Tin district in the northern part of the territory on the site of the current Heritage Museum, which may be axed.

The new museum is expected to focus on China’s fight against foreign invasions, the development of the Chinese Communist Party, sports achievements, as well as technological and cultural developments. Mainland museums are expected to be consulted to help organize exhibitions and lend exhibit materials. The museum will cater to international tourists as well, with an emphasis on showcasing the advantages of the city’s “One Country, Two Systems” political approach.

The site announcement was made by the city’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau following Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s recent policy address in October, during which he announced the plan for two new museums that would introduce national development and war history as part of authorities’ plan to further promote patriotism education.

The plan also follows the passing of China’s “Patriotic Education Law” in late October, which will come into effect on January 1st, 2024. The push for patriotic education is the latest ideological campaign by China’s leader Xi Jinping.

The second museum would see a revamp of the current island-based Hong Kong Museum of Coastal of Defence as it becomes the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, which would focus on the city’s battle against the Japanese Occupation in 1941.

In addition, a government working group will be established to highlight patriotic education, while a Chinese Culture Promotion Office is set to be established next year. The office plans to organize over 50 activities that will support and promote Chinese history and culture annually.

The new measures will be rolled out “with a view to enhancing education on our country’s history, culture, and current affairs on different fronts, thereby promoting patriotism and ensuring its continuity from generation to generation,” the Chief Executive told lawmakers.

The move is seen as yet another effort by the Hong Kong government to integrate more closely with China, and provide citizens with a greater understanding of its “Motherland,” in a more overt way than they have been used to previously.

Other joint initiatives that were mentioned in the recent policy address include a “Greater Bay Area” emergency response and rescue operational plan with other Mainland cities to increase the region’s emergency management system, the possibility of a joint investment fund to invest in worthwhile projects, closer maritime collaboration and a cross-border ambulance service.

Though critics recognize that integrated initiatives like this can have mutually positive benefits, there’s also conjecture that museums featuring Mainland dogma are yet another example of Hong Kong losing its once distinct international edge.

The news of the new museums comes in the wake of Hong Kong’s recent district councilor elections held earlier this month, which saw 1.2 million voters elect local officials from amongst the city’s 18 districts.

Though Chief Executive John Lee said he was “satisfied” with polling numbers, the 27.5% turnout was a record low for the city since the government cut the proportion of seats directly selected by the public by 80 percent.

All candidates were required to have a national security screening and gain nominations from government-appointed bodies.

Scott Murphy

Scott is a journalist for Newsendip.

He is American and has been living in Hong Kong for years. He has extensive experience as a lifestyle journalist, interviewer and TV producer. His stories also appeared in other media like CNN, Hollywood Reporter, or South China Morning Post.