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West Kowloon Cultural District
Hong KongPolitics

Chief Executive CY Leung urges city to ‘move on and build’ contentious Hong Kong Palace Museum

Public engagement to kick off today at 5pm with Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to answer questions

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Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying tells Hong Kong to ‘move on’ over museum project. Photo: Sam Tsang
Tony CheungandErnest Kao

Following a six-week of public consultation process, the city “must move on and build” the HK$3.5 billion Hong Kong Palace Museum, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Tuesday.

Speaking before the Executive Council’s weekly meeting, Leung said he hoped the museum plan could be “implemented” soon.

His comments came amid heightened controversy surrounding the museum for the West Kowloon Cultural District. Since being announced on December 23, the project has attracted criticism for the government’s lack of consultation and transparency during the decision-making process, and for the engagement of architect Rocco Yim Sen-kee for design-related works behind closed doors.
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“I know people have different opinions on venues and activities in West Kowloon, so we will follow the procedure, and there are six weeks of public consultation,” Leung said.

“After we have finished the procedure, we must not leave things undecided. We must move forward and add this new, good venue for cultural activities and the Hong Kong people’s cultural life.

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“I think that many other big cities in the world would welcome the arrangement if they were offered such a deal: that the city provides the land, a charity provides the money and Beijing’s Palace Museum lends its exhibits.”

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