Photo taken on Nov. 18, 2020 shows an interior view of the completed main structure of the Hong Kong Palace Museum building in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)
More than 800 cultural relics from the Palace Museum will be delivered to and displayed at the opening exhibition of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), which museum officials and analysts said will serve as a historical and artistic classroom for young people in Hong Kong.
Song Jirong, head of the restoration workshop of the Palace Museum made the remarks during interviews with Chinese media on Saturday.
Song, who is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) , said the list of antiquities to be delivered to Hong Kong has not yet been decided as the Palace Museum is determined to deliver the most exquisite exhibits to Hong Kong.
Peking University professor Zhang Yiwu told the Global Times on Sunday that putting cultural relics on display in Hong Kong that represent Chinese culture is likely to enhance the recognition of the country and Chinese culture among Hong Kong residents, especially the young.
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam (C), Chairman of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board Henry Tang(4th L) and Chairman of Hong Kong Palace Museum Limited Bernard Charnwut Chan (4th R) attend the completion ceremony of the main structure of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) building in south China's Hong Kong, Nov. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)
Song said that to ensure Hong Kong people can enjoy the finest cultural relics, antiquity experts at the Palace Museum are assessing potential exhibits in batches. They will use high-tech equipment such as CT and infrared spectroscopy to conduct thorough examinations.
The HKPM has a cultural relics maintenance team to ensure that the antiquities are kept in good condition. The Palace Museum will also dispatch experts to Hong Kong regularly, Song said.
The main structure of the HKPM building in West Kowloon Cultural District was completed in November 2020. The museum, expected to be completed in mid-2022, will have 7,800 square meters of gallery space.
The HKPM has a broad vision and mission, and is committed to promoting research and appreciation of Chinese art and culture and dialogue between world civilizations and cultures, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said at the completion ceremony of the HKPM building in November 2020.
Hong Kong SAR authorities and the Palace Museum signed a cooperation agreement in June 2017, and construction began in April 2019.