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Survey on pre-war buildings to be conducted
The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) will conduct the first territory- wide survey next year to record all pre-war buildings and structures, the Commissioner for Recreation and Culture, Mr Benjamin Tang, said today (Thursday).
He said the current record of historical buildings maintained by AMO was by no means exhaustive.
"There are many historic buildings and structures which escape our attention and remain unrecorded.
"The survey, fully financed by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, therefore aims to complete and update AMO's list of historic buildings so that appropriate measures can be taken to protect the buildings," he said.
Mr Tang was speaking at the opening ceremony of "Hong Kong Going and Gone - Views of Sheung Wan and Western District", a three-month photographic exhibition jointly organised by AMO and the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch. Meanwhile, AMO has taken photographs of 460 historic buildings this year. The project is nearing completion and following documentation work, they will be made available for public inspection.
Also speaking at the occasion were the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Mr David Lung, and the President of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch, Mr David Gilkes.
Mr Lung said he was encouraged by the forthcoming AMO heritage projects, which included two territory-wide historical and archaeological surveys, the computerisation of monument records and various educational programmes.
These programmes will enhance the public's knowledge of Hong Kong's heritag and will also lead to a movement in the protection of historic buildings, he noted.
Mr Gilkes told the gathering that the Society would continue to pledge its full support to all those who tried and preserved Hong Kong's heritage and history.