Govt in talks with WKCDA over Pop Culture Centre site
Culture minister Kevin Yeung said on Wednesday that the government is looking for a place to house a 'Pop Culture Centre', with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority among the organisations it is working with in this regard.  The centre was among proposals made by Chief Executive John Lee in his maiden policy address in 2022.  In a written response to a lawmaker's question, Yeung said officials want the centre to become a landmark for local pop culture and a tourist attraction, and they're conducting long-term planning about how big the site should be and what it should contain. "We are also in discussion and consultation with various stakeholders, including expert advisers, on matters related to the long-term planning of the 'Pop Culture Centre', such as its choice of site, facilities, curatorial approach and exhibition contents," he wrote. The minister said that in the short term, his bureau plans to reserve a designated gallery in the Heritage Museum for holding exhibitions and extension activities on pop culture, so as to expand the collaboration network and build up relevant collections. Last month, the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau proposed moving the Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui to the Heritage Museum site in Sha Tin, and reallocating heritage collections to other places. It is part of a wider plan to create a museum on national development and achievements at the Science Museum site. After some members of the culture sector expressed strong opposition to closing down the Heritage Museum, officials clarified that it was just an initial idea, and that they very much cherish every exhibit there.