Editorial | A rare chance to see ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong
Displaying these relics in Hong Kong is both an honour and a responsibility
But visitors will also see statues of deities, mummy coffins, jewellery, urns, musical instruments and even a toilet seat. The exhibition, expected to attract 700,000 people over the next nine months, is jointly organised by the city’s Palace Museum and the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt. It provides an opportunity to forge closer cultural ties and comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt next year.
Ties between the two countries are strengthening. Premier Li Qiang visited Cairo in July and agreed with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi to deepen collaboration on China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The two leaders promised to strengthen cultural ties, along with cooperation in manufacturing, renewable energy and technology. The exhibition also comes as Egypt celebrates the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum on a hill overlooking the Great Pyramid of Giza. The institution has been 30 years in the making and cost US$1 billion to build.
It is the world’s biggest archaeological museum, with around 100,000 artefacts. China’s minister for culture and tourism attended the lavish opening and President Xi Jinping sent congratulations. Displaying some of these relics in Hong Kong is both an honour and a responsibility. The city’s Palace Museum has stressed that it has the highest international standards of security and storage.
The exhibition will further the city’s aim of being an international centre for cultural exchange, while allowing Hongkongers a rare opportunity to enjoy what have justifiably been billed as “extraordinary” treasures.