Invited by Beijing's Palace Museum, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the unveiling ceremony of the Palace Museum Hospital for Conservation, the Palace Museum Learning Centre and the Jianfu Honour Roll of Architectural Conservation Donors in Beijing yesterday. Hong Kong businessmen Ronnie Chan Chi-chung, Xu Rongmao and Charles Yeung Chun-kam are listed on the Jianfu Honour Roll, which highlights Hong Kong people's contribution to conservation of the nation's cultural and historical relics.
At the same time, the SAR Government's decision to build a Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District continues to be questioned by the opposition. Over 20 opposition legislators jointly petition for convening a special meeting for Chief Secretary Carrie Lam to explain why the project has not been publically consulted. Some individuals also claim to seek a judicial review on the matter. Some media commentaries also accuse it as a "cultural united front" project with hidden "political agenda".
All these are really scandalous and unacceptable. The Palace Museum is the nation's cultural and relic heavyweight. It now agrees to set up a replica in Hong Kong and constantly provide invaluable relics for exhibition. For such a good thing in favour of improving Hongkongers' cultural and living quality and the city's image, even if one does not want to warmly express his welcome, at least there is absolutely no reason against it. Furthermore, the opposition's arguments against the project, such as without public consultations or bypassing scrutiny by the Legislative Council (Legco), are all but superficial, not sufficient enough to deny the importance and significance of building a Palace Museum in Hong Kong.
Facts are before our eyes, the opposition questioning the building of the Hong Kong Palace Museum is not for what so-called "procedural justice", but to once again stir up political antagonism to resist "one country", advocate "localism" and instigate some young people to come out to oppose the government, so as to create trouble for the upcoming election of the Chief Executive and celebrations of the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty. Such motivation is very malicious.
Therefore, it must be pointed out here that on the matter of building the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the SAR Government must not cower nor yield, but instead must remain self-confidently and unflinchingly persistent and forcefully rebut all of the opposition's fallacies.
The opposition's so-called arguments, such as without public consultations and Legco's scrutiny, are not worth refuting. Building the palace museum is completely in keeping with the original intention and meaning of establishing the West Kowloon Cultural District. There is no change at all in the planning. And to show respect for the policy-making process on Beijing side, not making no disclosure beforehand including not holding any public consultation is utterly understandable.
As for bypassing Legco's scrutiny, the $3.5 billion for project is generously donated by the Jockey Club. There is no need for the government to apply for funding, and thus no need to hand in the project for the Legco to deliberate. Under the executive-led system, the SAR Government should seek the legislature's cooperation and support on decision-making regarding matters of major principles, but this does not mean it has to be held back by the elbow on everything with no initiative on its own. Otherwise, won't it be that the SAR Government's executive-led functions and responsibilities just exist in name only and cannot be practically implemented?
More importantly, by questioning and obstructing the building of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the opposition's aim is to further resist "one country" and advocate so-called "local culture", They even propose to build a "museum of indigenous culture" to replace the Palace Museum. In face of such a political plot aimed at opposing "one country two systems", the SAR Government must further strengthen its determination to enhance education on national history and culture, including building the Hong Kong Palace Museum on the West Kowloon Cultural District as early as possible, so as not to leave any opportunity for the so-called "localists" and "Hong Kong independence" activists to exploit.
30 December 2016
