June 4 museum to open in Hong Kong in April in time for 30th anniversary of Tiananmen crackdown
- The museum, operated by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, will be located in Mong Kok
- The alliance intends to hold seminars to mark the commemoration but may be forced to host some in Taipei if some guests are barred from Hong Kong
A new June 4 museum will open in April in Hong Kong to mark the 30th anniversary of Beijing’s 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, as the organiser of the annual vigil has decided to purchase a property for the museum with HK$8 million (US$1 million).
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China held an annual meeting on Sunday and the plan of purchase was fully endorsed by the members attended.
The new museum will occupy an entire floor of a commercial building in Mong Kok, with an area of 1,100 square feet. Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong, the vice-chairman of the alliance, said they had liaised with the seller, the Hong Kong Christian Institute, and a deal would be sealed soon.
“It is expected that the unit will become vacant by the end of January. Renovation works will then start and the new museum is targeted to open in mid-April,” Tsoi said on Monday. “We hope the new museum can offer good opportunities to the new generation to know more about the history, and how Hong Kong has assisted democratic movements on the mainland.”
The alliance has assets worth HK$11.7 million (US$1.5 million), with donations received over the past year of HK$3 million (US$384,000).