The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (23 December) announced its support for the establishment of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) with funding of HK$3.5 billion.  In Beijing today, Club Chairman Dr S O Simon Ip and Steward Dr Eric Li Ka Cheung joined Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr C Y Leung, Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China Mr Luo Shugang and four other guests to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding of Co-operation for the project by Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board Mrs Carrie Lam and Director of the Palace Museum Dr Shan Jixiang.  The other witnesses were Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Zhou Bo, Deputy Minister of Culture Mr Ding Wei, Director of State Administration of Cultural Heritage Mr Liu Yuzhu, and Member of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board Mr Leo Kung.

The HKPM, expected to open in 2022, will be the first venue outside the Palace Museum in Beijing to showcase its exquisite collections on a long-term basis.  This new city landmark will mark a milestone in Hong Kong’s arts and cultural development.

“The Museum, to be located in the heart of the city like many national museums worldwide, will add to Hong Kong’s urban uniqueness and help strengthen its status as a world-class city,” said Dr Ip.  “Showcasing the exquisite collections of the Palace Museum on a long-term basis, this new landmark will provide Hong Kong people with a unique opportunity to appreciate the national treasures in their home city.  It will also help promote them to overseas visitors.  We at the Club are honoured to be able to fund this meaningful project and we look forward to the establishment of this gem of arts and culture.”

The Club strongly believes in the intrinsic social value of arts and culture, so has long been a keen contributor to this area. In 1984, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts was established with a Club donation. Ten years ago, the Club embarked on the revitalisation of the Central Police Station Compound in the business hub of Hong Kong which is the Club’s flagship initiative in cultural and heritage conservation. On the software front, the Club has brought Hong Kong many world-class exhibitions over the years.  Among them, four extremely popular examples have been presented in collaboration with the HKSAR Government and the Palace Museum, including a current exhibition under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series showcasing the Grand Weddings of the Qing Emperors. 

For many years, the Club has grown together with Hong Kong and its people.  It is the city’s largest benefactor, committed to contributing to the betterment of Hong Kong and enhancing the quality of life of its people. As a result of its substantial charitable donations to the city, it was ranked the sixth largest non-government charity foundation in the World Charity Index 2015.  In the Chinese Mainland, the Club was honoured with a 2008 China Charity Award from the Ministry of Civil Affairs to recognise its contributions towards Sichuan reconstruction. It was also privileged to be able to play its part in the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, leading the Club to be honoured as an “Outstanding Contributor” to both events.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to community betterment. Through its integrated business model of world-class racing, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution, the Club generates substantial economic and social value and assists the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2015/16 the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong’s largest single tax payer and one of the world’s largest charity donors. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.