Hong Kong’s new National Security Exhibition Gallery has caught the attention of foreign visitors, who say it offers a unique perspective on the events of 2019 compared to what they have seen in Western media. The exhibition, located at the Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui, opened to the public for free on Wednesday and aims to promote awareness of national security among residents.
While Chief Executive John Lee emphasized the importance of safeguarding national security at the opening ceremony, many visitors to the gallery were tourists from mainland China, Europe, and Singapore who stumbled upon the exhibition by chance. The gallery, spanning over 1,100 square meters, is divided into six areas centered around the theme of a “holistic approach to national security,” as advocated by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
One of the key areas of the exhibition focuses on Hong Kong’s protests and unrest in 2019, as well as the subsequent security legislations that were implemented, including the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. Visitors were met with displays and boards describing the 2019 protests as a “colour revolution” that led to turmoil in Hong Kong.
Foreign visitors, such as those from Italy, expressed interest in the contrasting perspectives presented at the gallery, noting the discrepancy between Western media coverage and the information displayed. They found it intriguing to compare the narratives prevalent in Europe with the portrayal of events in Hong Kong. One tourist pointed out the gallery’s interpretation of events such as the Ukrainian “Orange Revolution” differed from his understanding of those historical occurrences.
Mainland Chinese tourists, mostly families, praised the educational value of the exhibition, particularly in teaching children about the significance of national security. A visitor from Hainan province commended the exhibition for shedding light on the damage caused by the 2019 protests and for promoting China’s history. She expressed a sense of pride in China’s progress under the leadership of the Communist Party.
Overall, the National Security Exhibition Gallery offers a distinct perspective on the events of 2019 in Hong Kong, challenging the narratives portrayed in Western media. Visitors from different parts of the world have found the exhibition to be enlightening and thought-provoking, prompting discussions on the complexities of national security and historical events.
