Hong Kong’s version of Beijing Palace Museum to open with nod to HK$3.5 billion donation from Jockey Club

Horse-themed exhibition with relics from Chinese capital will depict ‘striving spirit’ of Jockey Club, Beijing Palace Museum director and chief curator says

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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam (centre) at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:33am, 29 May 2018Updated: 10:11am, 29 May 2018

Hong Kong’s version of Beijing’s Palace Museum will open with an exhibition of ancient horse-themed relics borrowed from the capital to depict the “striving spirit” of the Jockey Club, which donated HK$3.5 billion (US$446 million) to the project.

Beijing Palace Museum director and chief curator Shan Jixiang on Monday said the exhibition would be an act of appreciation for the city’s largest non-profit organisation, after its support getting the controversial museum off the ground.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Shan said: “We will send a large number of horse-related antiquities from the national museum, from ancient paintings and calligraphy to other artistic objects, to set up a special exhibition to advocate their striving spirit.”

Built on 10,000 square metres (107,640 sq ft) of prime West Kowloon harbourfront land previously reserved for a performance venue, the Hong Kong Palace Museum is expected to be completed before July 1, 2022.

Officiating at the ceremony, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said: “It’s often said good things are a long time coming.”