To a roll of drums and showers of confetti, Chungking Mansions, once dubbed the 'ghetto at the centre of the world', celebrated its official 50th anniversary yesterday with a ceremony that also marked the first facelift since it was built in 1961.
Salina Lam Wai-lung, chairwoman of the incorporated owners, greeted guests and officials in a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the former eyesore in Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. They included Legislative Council president Tsang Yok-sing, who praised the owners for bringing the iconic building back to life. 'We all know Chungking Mansions used to be an eyesore,' he said. 'It is a miracle that the building is now standing proud, with a new facade, thanks to the work of the owners.'