West Kowloon Cultural District

On December 22, 2016, then Chief Secretary for Administration, Carrie Lam, told the press at the Hong Kong International Airport before her trip to Beijing that “there will be a collaborative cultural project between Hong Kong SAR Government and Palace Museum, Beijing.” Then, on the following day, she announced in Beijing that “Hong Kong Palace Museum” (HKPM) would be built in West Kowloon Cultural District. It will be operated and managed by West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA/Authority). HKPM will display artifacts from the imperial collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing. Design, construction and exhibition planning expenses will be supported by a donation of HK$3.5 billion from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
The majority of Hong Kong people only learnt about HKPM project as it was announced. In the society there was mixed opinions on the fact that the collaboration decision had been made in the absence of public consultation. Controversy was thus stirred up in the Legislative Council, the political circle, among arts practitioners, and the public.
On June 29, 2017, a Collaborative Agreement was signed by the WKCDA and the Palace Museum, Beijing on the development of the HKPM,3 scheduled to complete in 2022.