Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence narrates story of HK's coastal defense after facelift

After major repairs and a renovation, the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence (HKMCD), located at 175 Tung Hei Road in Shau Kei Wan, will reopen to the public on November 24 with free admission. The revamped permanent exhibition narrates the history of the city's coastal defense and military affairs from the Tang dynasty to Hong Kong's return to the motherland, enabling visitors to explore the role of Hong Kong in the context of historical events in Asia and the world. The renewed exhibition further enhances its content relating to the history of the Japanese invasion of China, the Japanese attack on Hong Kong, the Battle of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, and so on, deepening the understanding of the public on this chapter of Hong Kong's history.

Addressing the opening ceremony today (November 23), the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Cheuk Wing-hing, said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region attached great importance to facilitating public understanding of the history of Hong Kong's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, especially the contributions of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column. Therefore, the number of galleries introducing the history of the War of Resistance had been increased from two to four in the revamped museum. QR codes were also added in one of the galleries, which were linked to the websites of 31 museums or memorial halls on the Mainland with the theme of the War of Resistance, to guide visitors to read and deepen their understanding of the history of the War of Resistance in the Mainland of China, as well as relevant venues. It is hoped that through visits to the museum, members of the public can learn and remember the tough days of Chinese people during wartime, pay tribute to the compatriots who bravely fought and died for the country, and draw on their spiritual strength of patriotism to understand the inseparable ties between the past of Hong Kong and the modern history of China, and that their sense of belonging to our country and national pride could be strengthened.

Other officiating guests included the Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Mr. Kevin Yeung; the Chairman of the Museum Advisory Committee, Mr. Douglas So; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr. Vincent Liu; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Mr. Ng Chi-wo.

The new permanent exhibition in the Redoubt of the HKMCD, "The Story of Hong Kong Coastal Defence", consists of 11 galleries. The exhibition themes include the introduction of military presence under successive dynasties, military arrangements, port facilities, history of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the volunteers, stories of multi-ethnic soldiers who served in Hong Kong as well as the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison.

The "Japanese Invasion of Hong Kong" gallery offers an account of Hong Kong's preparations for war before the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941, the course of the battle, and the experience of the prisoners of war. The museum has produced immersive videos of the Battle of Hong Kong and anti-Japanese guerrillas' resistance behind enemy lines, enabling visitors to feel the then intense situation. Moreover, the "Narrative of the War of Resistance" gallery displays much information, including precious interview clips of anti-Japanese guerrillas, historical photos, and videos. One of the interactive programs, "In Search of Anti-Japanese War Relics," presents information on memorials and relics of the War of Resistance in Hong Kong and appreciates the heroic deeds of the anti-Japanese guerrillas and Hong Kong citizens who defended their homeland during the Japanese occupation. The "Port Facilities" gallery makes use of multimedia to showcase some hospital and receiving ships that were at anchor in Victoria Harbour for a long period and various famous naval ships that called in Hong Kong. The "Multi-Ethnic Soldiers" gallery introduces an era when the Hong Kong garrison embraced a diversity of people: British, Chinese, Indian and Nepalese, etc. Drawing on a collection of military artifacts, along with archival records and personal tales, the gallery tells the story of a multifarious garrison.

Twenty-four checkpoints are set up on the HKMCD's Lyemun Fort Historical Trail, including the Torpedo Station built in a cave on the shore, the Lyemun Redoubt, various batteries, and caponiers. Visitors can experience and enjoy the unique beauty of the built structures embedded in the natural scenery and immerse themselves in this site's military and historical ambiance by walking the Historical Trail.

The renovated museum adds new topics and multimedia elements to the exhibition and the historic trail. The latest display methods are adopted to narrate the history of Hong Kong's coastal defense and military affairs in a vivid way. Visitors can also use the "iM Guide" mobile app to interact with exhibits and obtain more multimedia content about the exhibits through a smartphone. For details of the exhibition and the admission arrangements, please visit the website at hk.coastaldefence.museum or call 2569 1500 for enquiries.

In order to comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the museums under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, members of the public entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the relevant requirements of the Vaccine Pass. According to the current requirement on the Vaccine Pass, all persons with their Vaccine Pass QR codes displayed in red are not allowed to enter museums under the management of the LCSD while patrons holding amber codes are allowed to enter the premises with a valid Vaccine Pass.