LegCo Subcommittee to Study Matters Relating to "Ecology + Tourism" conducts a visit along the coastline near Sai Kung East Country Park
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council Subcommittee to Study Matters Relating to "Ecology + Tourism" visited the coastline near Sai Kung East Country Park by boat today (May 28) to gain a deeper understanding of current government measures relating to the development of ecotourism, and to explore how to better leverage natural resources to further promote ecotourism.
Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, Members set sail from Sai Kung Pier and inspected the coastline near Sai Kung East Country Park. The boat passed Sharp Island, Yim Tin Tsai and High Island, which are part of Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (Hong Kong Geopark).
Members then continued the sail to the vicinity of the coastal areas near Fa Shan, High Island Reservoir East Dam and Po Pin Chau, where they observed offshore the High Island Formation. The formation is visible along the coast of and on numerous islands in Sai Kung. The hexagonal volcanic columnar rock formation there comprises a great number of large, well preserved and widely distributed columns. The High Island Formation was incorporated in Hong Kong Geopark in 2009 and was selected as one of the First 100 International Union of Geological Sciences Geological Heritage Sites in 2022, making it a popular ecotourism attraction with high international scientific significance.
During the visit, Members received a briefing from representatives of the Government about the management measures implemented in these ecotourism hotspots during peak holiday seasons. These included deploying additional manpower to help implement traffic and crowd management, as well as installing additional railings at the viewing platform to prevent visitors from approaching dangerous areas. Members urged the Government to leverage Hong Kong's unique natural resources and study plans to boost economic benefits, including promoting island tourism, while in pursuit of sustainable development.
Members also viewed Ham Tin Wan and the coast of Sai Kung from the vessel. As Ham Tin Wan Campsite and other campsites in the Sai Kung District are gaining popularity among visitors, Members and representatives of the Government discussed how to strengthen environmental protection while enhancing tourists' experience.
A total of 25 members and non-members of the Subcommittee participated in the visit.
LegCo Subcommittee to Study Matters Relating to "Ecology + Tourism" conducts a visit along the coastline near Sai Kung East Country Park Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Subcommittee to Study Matters Relating to "Ecology + Tourism" conducts a visit along the coastline near Sai Kung East Country Park Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Subcommittee to Study Matters Relating to "Ecology + Tourism" conducts a visit along the coastline near Sai Kung East Country Park Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition
The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) has received a generous donation of over 2 000 Cantonese and export artefacts in the Qing dynasty from Dr Simon Kwan, a local veteran art collector, founder of the Muwen Tang collection and distinguished Hong Kong architect. This marks the largest single donation the museum has ever received, encompassing over 10 distinct categories including export paintings, painted enamels, silverware, fans, ivory carvings, textiles, lacquerware and timepieces.
To honour this gift, the HKMoA has designated the Muwen Tang Gallery of Cantonese and Export Art to display these exceptional treasures, and has launched the inaugural exhibition "Proudly from Canton: The Muwen Tang Collection of Cantonese and Export Art". The exhibition features over 120 representative sets of donated iconic items of Cantonese art, from imperial tributes to export goods, which chart the golden age of Guangdong's artistic achievements.
Addressing the exhibition opening and the donation and gallery inauguration ceremony held today (May 28), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said that although Hong Kong is a small place, it is home to many collectors who are devoted to preserving and promoting Chinese culture by building distinctive private collections - and Dr Kwan stands out as a leading example. This donation fully exemplifies his noble spirit of transforming private treasures into public heritage. The collection is comprehensive in scope and rich in variety, with each piece being exceptionally precious. It will help consolidate the HKMoA's global leadership in the collection and study of export art. Miss Law noted that export art blends Chinese and Western craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities. Sold worldwide during the 18th and 19th centuries, it represents a unique crystallisation of cultural exchanges between the East and West. The arrival of this precious collection in Hong Kong perfectly echoes the city's important role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
As a native Cantonese person born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr Kwan said he has always been deeply fascinated by cultural relics from Guangdong. Over the past five decades, he has had the opportunity to collect a selection of Guangdong fine artefacts from the Qing dynasty. He is deeply gratified that all the more than 2 000 pieces in his collection have now been entrusted to the HKMoA. This donation will support crucial initiatives including research, conservation and restoration, publication, storage, and exhibitions. He hopes that the donation will ultimately help the museum showcase Cantonese culture with greater representation and further promote Lingnan art.
Other officiating guests included the Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Desmond Hui; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; and the Museum Director of the HKMoA, Dr Maria Mok.
Featuring over 120 representative sets of donated items, this exhibition showcases a refined balance of Qing dynasty Cantonese craft for imperial aesthetics, export demand, and local taste, to chart the golden age of Cantonese craftsmanship on the world stage. One of the most remarkable pieces is a magnificent Qing dynasty Cantonese gilt silver filigree tea set, which once belonged to Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. Crafted entirely in gilt silver filigree with intricate ornamentation, it represents the pinnacle of export silverware from the Qianlong period. It is one of only two complete sets of Qing dynasty export filigree silverware known to exist today.
The exhibition is complemented by an interactive zone, where visitors will be transported to a 19th-century Cantonese reverse glass painting studio to experience the unique craft of reverse glass painting during the Qing dynasty through AI-powered interactive devices, and complete portrait commissions for distant patrons and embark on an artistic journey across centuries.
The exhibition will run from May 29, 2026, to July 4, 2027, at the Muwen Tang Gallery of Cantonese and Export Art on the 3/F of the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). Admission is free. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/proudly-from-canton.html.
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMoA receives donation of over 2 000 Cantonese artefacts from Muwen Tang collection and launches inaugural exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
