Hong Kong Museum of Art Launches "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" Exhibition in Guangzhou

HKMoA's "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition opens in Guangzhou

The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) is joining hands with the Guangdong Museum of Art to bring the original Hong Kong-curated exhibition "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" to Guangzhou's vibrant cultural landmark, the Baietan Greater Bay Area Art Center, for the first time. As one of the programmes of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026, the exhibition is being held from today (September 23) to December 15. Renowned Chinese designer Freeman Lau is the Guest Curator, who has adopted a distinctly contemporary Hong Kong perspective to rediscover the stories of Chinese characters from multiple dimensions, encompassing fine art, design, everyday living and popular culture.

The "By the People: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition was first held at the HKMoA from 2022 to 2023 and is one of the HKMoA's "Hong Kong Art: Co-Creation" exhibition series, which received an overwhelming response with over 440 000 visitors. The exhibition at Guangzhou is extending the original rich context with 16 sets of new exhibits added, featuring a total of some 90 sets of exhibits from the collections of the HKMoA, private collectors and other institutions. The artworks include calligraphy, paintings, carvings, contemporary installations and digital art, offering the audience a comprehensive experience of the art of Chinese characters in various eras and media. Highlight exhibits include the "Three palindromes" by Aisin-Gioro Puru (attri.), "Couplet in square word calligraphy" by contemporary artist Xu Bing, "Commemorating My Mentor" by designer and artist Kan Tai-keung, and "Untitled" by contemporary artist Wei Ligang, deciphering the visual codes of the structure and forms of Chinese characters layer by layer, and leading to a cross-disciplinary gateway where calligraphy, design and contemporary art converge.

Co-presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Guangdong Museum of Art, and co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the HKMoA, the exhibition is being held at Hall 14, 4/F, Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN), No. 19 Baietan South Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (located within the Baietan Greater Bay Area Art Center). Admission is free. For details, please visit the website of the HKMoA: hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/by-the-people-2-creative-chinese-characters.html.

Co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition is on display from today (September 23) to December 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN). Photo shows the artwork "Untitled" by contemporary artist Wei Ligang. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition is on display from today (September 23) to December 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN). Photo shows the artwork "Commemorating My Mentor" by designer and artist Kan Tai-keung. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition is on display from today (September 23) to December 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN). Photo shows the artwork "Couplet in Square Word Calligraphy" by contemporary artist Xu Bing. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition is on display from today (September 23) to December 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN). Photo shows the artwork "Three Palindromes" by Aisin-Gioro Puru (attri.). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition is on display from today (September 23) to December 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN), rediscovering the stories behind Chinese characters from multiple dimensions. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition is on display from today (September 23) to December 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN), rediscovering the stories behind Chinese characters from multiple dimensions. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Co-organised by the Guangdong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA), the "By the People 2: Creative Chinese Characters" exhibition is on display from today (September 23) to December 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art (BAIETAN). Photo shows the Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Ng Chi-wo (second right); the Director of the Guangdong Museum of Art, Professor Wang Shaoqiang (second left); the guest curator of the exhibition, Freeman Lau (first right); and the Museum Director of the HKMoA, Dr Maria Mok (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD reviews this year's efforts to tackle dripping air conditioners

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 10) that the department has continued to adopt a multipronged approach to tackle the problem of dripping air conditioners, combining enhanced inspections and enforcement with publicity and education, innovative technology and adjustments to operational strategies. This year, the FEHD has fully deployed the third-generation Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System, featuring infrared night-vision technology and artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition, across all districts to detect dripping locations quickly and accurately, significantly enhancing enforcement effectiveness.

The spokesman said, "As of September 30, the FEHD had issued about 8 100 nuisance notices concerning dripping air conditioners this year, representing an increase of about 16 per cent and 54 per cent over the corresponding periods last year and in 2024 respectively. The figure was about four times that for the same period in 2023. Over 99 per cent of the households that received the notices have addressed the dripping problem as required. Significant improvements have also been recorded at the locations of concern identified by the department."

In recent years, the FEHD has adopted a new operational strategy. In addition to handling public complaints, officers proactively conduct door-to-door inspections and take enforcement action, focusing on around 300 locations of concern with more serious dripping problems across districts, including bus stops, minibus stops and pedestrian passages. Each location is inspected at least once a week. By August, dripping problems at about half of these locations had been resolved or had shown significant improvement. As conditions improved at some locations, the FEHD extended its operations to more than 110 additional locations with less serious problems. As of September 30, the number of locations being followed up by the FEHD had increased from around 300 to more than 400.

The FEHD has also actively applied innovative technology, collaborating with a local innovation and technology institution to develop the Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System. Using infrared night-vision technology, the system enables officers to detect dripping locations quickly in low-light conditions without entering residents' premises. The enhanced second-generation system features a remote-controlled pan-tilt head and autofocus functions. Its detection range has been extended to 120 metres, enabling it to cover buildings around 40 storeys high. In April this year, the system won a bronze award in thecategory of Engineering and Robotics – Optical Sensing and Spatial Intelligence at the Edison Awards 2026, gaining international recognition for its innovative technology. This year, the department has fully deployed the third-generation system, featuring AI image recognition, across all districts. The system uses high-precision image recognition to detect dripping locations automatically and pinpoint their sources quickly and accurately, further reducing the time required for observation and evidence collection.

In addition to strengthening enforcement, the FEHD actively collaborates with the property management sector to tackle dripping air conditioners. The department continues to promote the Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners, inviting staff of property management companies serving private housing estates to help identify dripping sources and advise residents to rectify the problem. More than 300 private housing estates across the territory currently participate in the scheme, helping to complete follow-up and handling of an average of over 4 000 dripping complaints each year. The department also works closely with the Property Management Services Authority to provide relevant guidelines for licensed property management companies and property management personnel, and encourages more licensed companies to join the scheme.

The FEHD calls on all sectors to work together to tackle dripping air conditioners. Property management companies should regularly repair and maintain building drainage systems and remind residents to inspect and repair their air conditioners. Members of the public should also inspect and maintain their air conditioners regularly and address any dripping problems promptly to avoid causing a nuisance. For more information, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/Pamphlet_water_dripping_from_air_conditioner.pdf).

Source: AI-found images