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Paul Yeung writes that it is unfortunate that the Hong Kong Palace Museum project plan has become politicized in such a cynical way as it is actually a great gift to the SAR
One can hardly expect that a gift with goodwill would be hijacked by some politicians, who are trying to create a political storm out of it. Two weeks ago, the Hong Kong SAR Government announced that the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) would collaborate with the Palace Museum to build a Hong Kong version of the Palace Museum in the WKCD. The news was hailed as a Christmas and New Year gift from the central government.
It is a gift! We need not pay for the museum. The priceless treasures to be showcased in the mini-Palace Museum will be borrowed from the Palace Museum in Beijing. The HK$3.5 billion construction cost of the project, covering design, construction and exhibition development, will be donated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. As to the opportunity cost of the land, this controversy has been solved by the document released several days before. Some people argue that the space should be retained for the Mega Performance Venue (MPV). But we have alternative venues of similar scale for this purpose, as suggested by the WKCDA. Moreover, the Kai Tak Sports Park Project, announced by the Chief Executive on his blog in mid-2016, will provide a 50,000-seat main stadium and a 7,000- to 10,000-seat indoor sports center. The latest design of the main stadium has taken into account the needs of large-scale entertainment events, with retractable acoustic roof and flexible turf system.
It is very clear that the museum project is almost free in financial terms. And yet, the project has come under strong criticism from some politicians from the "pan-democratic" camp. Given that it is led by Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who is a potential candidate in the Chief Executive election in March, it is hard for people to believe that the criticism has nothing to do with politics. Obviously, some politicians are trying to create a political cost for the project.
In response to public queries, the SAR government and WKCDA published a document answering 32 questions relating to the selection of a site, the appointment of the design consultant and the need for confidentiality. Furthermore, the government launched a six-week consultation to seek public views on the significance of the project, the facilities, the operation, as well as types of exhibition and programs. The consultation is intended to facilitate civic engagement. It aims to build a Hong Kong version of the Palace Museum rather than merely a branch of the one in Beijing. This needs to be appreciated by the public.
Let's leave politics to politicians. Only if we avoid politics can we appreciate this precious gift and be grateful to the central government for its support to the project. According to recent research conducted by Our Hong Kong Foundation, a vibrant museum sector is indispensable for Hong Kong as a world-class city. The Hong Kong Palace Museum, with antiques from the famed Forbidden City and relics related to the history and life at the palace, would not only provide an excellent platform for Hong Kong people to understand Chinese history and culture but also turn the WKCD into a cultural mecca.
After the government launched a public consultation on the project, some members of the opposition camp are still obsessed with whether the museum should be built at all. That is a no-brainer as the WKCDA can legally make the decision. The question is merely intended to create more room for the politicization of the project. It is hard to say now whether the plan can be carried out smoothly. But it is absolutely our loss if it is postponed or even shelved because of politics.
