Old YMT police station to open to public to mark HK's return

A variety of celebration events, including the first public opening of the old Yau Ma Tei Police Station and hundreds of youth-related activities, will be held in the coming months to mark Hong Kong's 25th anniversary of returning to the motherland.

The Hong Kong Police Force announced on Monday that the former police station, a Grade II historic building built in 1922, is scheduled to be opened to the public for free in the first two weekends in August, with exhibitions that feature the former uniforms of police officers, and a World War II bomb uncovered in Woosung Street in 2000. An exhibition focusing on national security education and anti-terrorism efforts will also be at the venue.

Sign-ups will start on July 8, with more information to be released later. An online exhibition using virtual reality technologies will be provided to those who cannot visit the building in person.

The Police Force also will organize two charity concerts, on July 30 and 31, which will be performed by the Police Band and renowned city musicians. Ticket sales began on Monday, and all funds raised from the shows will go to local charity organizations.

In September, a joint drill parade will be staged by the Hong Kong Police Force, the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and other disciplined services of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to mark both Hong Kong's return anniversary and National Day, Oct 1.

Other highlights of the force's celebrations include the launch of a documentary reviewing its work over the quarter-century in July and a photo contest in August. More details of the celebrations can be found on the dedicated website set up by the Police Force.

Over 200 youth-related events, co-hosted by the city's Home Affairs Bureau and the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, also will be held to celebrate the return anniversary.

The plans were announced on Sunday at a ceremony to commend the contribution of Hong Kong's young people in the city's battle against COVID-19.

A total of 120 youth groups across the city will engage in these activities covering areas such as artistic performances, cross-border exchanges, sports, and volunteer work.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai, chairman of the Hong Kong United Youth Association, noted that nearly 1,000 youth organizations and nearly 10,000 youth volunteers have contributed in the fight against the pandemic.

Leung said he hopes that the pandemic will end as soon as possible so that more celebrations can take place for the public to enjoy the memorable occasion.