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A Century of Cultural Development in Central and Western District- Business

A Century of Cultural Development in Central and Western District- Business

Date: 2024/12/14 (Saturday)
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Venue: City Hall Public Library (8/F, Extension Activities Room)
Speaker: Mr. Chan Tin Kuen (Researcher of Hong Kong history and culture)
Remarks: Conducted in Cantonese. Free admission by reservation. Seats are limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
Reservation for the talk starts at 9:00 a.m. on 30.11.2024 (Saturday) by call or online registration.
The programme is subject to change without prior notice.
Enquiry Telephone Number: 2921 2672

Central and Sheung Wan became the economic centre of Hong Kong soon after the colonial period began as numerous foreign trading houses could be found in the area. In 1861, foreign merchants established the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to protect their rights and interests. In 1880, Beaconsfield Arcade, the first multi-storey shopping arcade in Hong Kong was opened in Central. Meanwhile, Chinese merchants established their business base in Sheung Wan, opening trading houses and banks and engaging in entrepôt trade between the north and the south. In 1868, Nam Pak Hong Association was formed to resolve disputes and work for the benefits of Chinese merchants. Subsequently, to meet the needs of a growing population, reclamation works was carried out along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island between 1890 and 1904, creating more land and facilitating further economic growth.

After the World War II, Hong Kong’s economy saw a gradual transformation, migrating from entrepôt trade to manufacturing industry and then a financial services-oriented economy. Although many old buildings in Central and Sheung Wan have been redeveloped, you may still feel the ambience of the old Chinese business district around Bonham Strand today.