Institute of Philanthropy collaborates with Palace Museum to launch garden cultures exhibition in Beijing with plans to tour Suzhou, Ningbo and Hong Kong

Exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”), organised by the Palace Museum in Beijing, and in partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago, the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World”exhibition was launched yesterday (31 March) at the Tower Gallery, East and West Wing Galleries of the Meridian Gate in the Forbidden City. It will showcase rare artifacts and cultural treasures from across Asia, the United States and France. The exhibition will run until 29 June in Beijing, with subsequent plans to tour Suzhou, followed by Ningbo and Hong Kong through to July next year.

Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Lester Huang tours the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World” exhibition.

This exhibition is an important part of a five-year collaboration under a Memorandum of Co operation entitled “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong” signed between The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) and the Palace Museum. It aims to foster cultural exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong and to nurture aspiring arts tech talent. The exhibition aligns with the Palace Museum’s 100th anniversary and is also one of a series of activities under the Club’s “With you. Then. Now. Always.” campaign to celebrate its 140th anniversary.

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition yesterday, officiating guests included Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum; Lester Huang, IoP Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago; and Elisabeth Maisonnier, Chief Curator of Heritage at the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon.

(From left to right) Wen Dayan, Director-General of Communication and Cooperation of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (1st left); Li Rusheng, President of the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture (2nd left); Lester Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (3rd left); Gu Yucai, President of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics (4th left); Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum (5th left); James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago (4th right); Liu Shuguang, President of ICOM China (3rd right); Elisabeth Maisonnier, Chief Curator of The Palaces of Versailles (2nd right); Du Haijiang, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum (1st right) officiate at the opening ceremony of the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World” exhibition. (Photo credit: The Palace Museum)

Director of the Palace Museum Dr Wang said the Palace Museum has systematically explored multi-faceted models to bridge cultural exchanges in innovative ways to foster dialogues between China’s rich culture with other international traditions, ever since the introduction of the Global Civilisation Initiative. This exhibition is envisioned not only to promote the sustainable development of cultural heritage but also to inspire and promote the construction of a global community of the shared future.

IoP Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Mr Huang noted this touring exhibition is exclusively sponsored by IoP and is a key activity under the five-year collaboration between the Club and the Palace Museum to promote Chinese culture and enhance international exchange through the integration of arts and technology. “It is a meaningful way to celebrate both the Club’s 140th anniversary and the Palace Museum’s 100th anniversary. It incorporates interactive digital technology to present fascinating garden cultures in China. I very much look forward to the exhibition being held in Hong Kong next year to broaden people’s understanding of national history and culture, supporting efforts to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”

Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Lester Huang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony .

The exhibition features more than 200 Chinese and international exhibits, with support from four overseas cultural institutions – the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Yale Center for British Art in the United States; and the Palace of Versailles, Museums and National Gardens Public Institution in France. The National Museum of China and Tianjin Museum also contributed exhibits.

Taking six activities (gatherings with friends; appreciation of art collections; sightseeing; meditation; flower appreciation; and playing music) that took place in the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City, the exhibition aims to explore the impact that human activities have on garden landscapes from different geographical regions and historical periods, and to contrast traditional Chinese and Western gardening philosophies.

Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Lester Huang tours the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World” exhibition.

In addition to physical exhibits, the exhibition will also feature digital content, allowing audiences worldwide to access and appreciate these horticultural treasures online soon after the exhibition has opened.

The touring exhibition will be staged at the Palace Museum until 29 June, after which it plans to tour Suzhou Museum and Ningbo Museum before stopping at the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 2026.

IoP, a charitable organisation established by the Club and its Charities Trust, donated approximately HK$440 million (RMB￥371 million) to the “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong” initiative to promote Chinese culture and values in Hong Kong, the Mainland and worldwide. It supports the Central Government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

The TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.