A typical ribbon cutting in Hong Kong features (from left) shipping magnate Pao Yue-kong, his father Pao Siu-loong, Li Choh-ming and then Governor Sir Murray MacLehose officiate at the opening ceremony of the Siu-loong Pao Building at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Looking on is Executive Councillor Sir Yuet-keung Kan. Photo: SCMP
A typical ribbon cutting in Hong Kong features (from left) shipping magnate Pao Yue-kong, his father Pao Siu-loong, Li Choh-ming and then Governor Sir Murray MacLehose officiate at the opening ceremony of the Siu-loong Pao Building at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Looking on is Executive Councillor Sir Yuet-keung Kan. Photo: SCMP
Jason Wordie
Opinion

Opinion

Then & Now by Jason Wordie

Ribbon cutting, photo ops, and a light-fingered governor’s wife – opening ceremonies in Hong Kong through the years

  • An enduring ritual of public, the ceremony to declare something officially ‘open’ is ostensibly a simple affair that hides many complexities
  • One Hong Kong governor’s wife would pop the scissors used to cut the ribbon into her handbag. She must have had a suitcase full when she left, a source said

Jason Wordie
Jason Wordie

Updated: 7:45am, 12 Dec, 2022

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A typical ribbon cutting in Hong Kong features (from left) shipping magnate Pao Yue-kong, his father Pao Siu-loong, Li Choh-ming and then Governor Sir Murray MacLehose officiate at the opening ceremony of the Siu-loong Pao Building at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Looking on is Executive Councillor Sir Yuet-keung Kan. Photo: SCMP
A typical ribbon cutting in Hong Kong features (from left) shipping magnate Pao Yue-kong, his father Pao Siu-loong, Li Choh-ming and then Governor Sir Murray MacLehose officiate at the opening ceremony of the Siu-loong Pao Building at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Looking on is Executive Councillor Sir Yuet-keung Kan. Photo: SCMP
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