Government House

The government house of Hong Kong is located at the governor's house in the mid levels of central. Among the 28 successive governors, 25 once used this building as their official residences and offices. Built in 1855, the off white appearance retains the British tradition of the past, while the turret in the mansion is a legacy of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during the Second World War. After the return of Hong Kong in 1997, it was renamed the government house of protocol.

Government House

The government house of Hong Kong, formerly known as the government house of Hong Kong, is located between Albert Road and lower Albert Road in the middle of central. It is the official residence of the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the most important official reception place of the government. The main building was built in 1851 and officially completed in 1855. The government house of Hong Kong has 24000 square meters of gardens. The main building covers an area of more than 7000 square meters. It faces south, looks up to Taiping mountain, and faces the former central government offices (today's Legal Center) to the north.

The architectural design of Hong Kong concierge house combines the essence of eastern and Western cultures. The building not only has the elegant style of neoclassical architecture, but also has tropical architectural style. Sir Pauline, the fourth governor of Hong Kong, became the first master in 1855. Since then, 25 governors have lived here. Many governors have decorated and altered the buildings according to their personal styles and needs. During the Japanese occupation, they made large-scale renovation, including the addition of the central tower.

In 1995, the government house of Hong Kong was listed as a statutory Monument and protected by the Antiquities and monuments Ordinance.

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Historical evolution

In October 1851, the construction of the governor's house of Hong Kong began.

In October 1855, the governor's house was completed, and the fourth governor, sir Pauline, was the first governor to live in the governor's house.

From 1889 to 1891, a new wing (including banquet hall) was added to the east of the main building of the governor's mansion to increase space for social activities.

During the Japanese occupation period from 1941 to 1945, the Governor General's house underwent large-scale reconstruction, including the addition of a central tower to connect the two original buildings, and the conversion of the roof to a Japanese tile roof. The ballroom has also been slightly modified, but the size remains largely unchanged.

On September 16, 1945, the Japanese troops stationed in Hong Kong signed a letter of surrender at the governor's office.

In 1946, the Japanese style decoration of the governor's mansion was demolished, but the Japanese style tower still remains today.

From 1947 to 1957, two stone lions were added to the entrance of the main building.

From 1971 to 1982, a waist shaped swimming pool was built in the garden.

From 1982 to 1986, a fountain was set up in front of the stone terrace of the main building of the North veranda.

From 1987 to 1992, small pavilions were built on the slope platform, and the water features of the main garden stairs were changed into large flower troughs.

From 1997 to 2005, elegant bonsai was added to the veranda.

In 1999, the government house of Hong Kong changed its name to the concierge house.

From 2005 to 2012, outdoor fish ponds were built in the back garden.

From 2012 to 2017, a three box composting system was added to the back garden.

In 2017, one of the tennis courts in the concierge house was converted into a small garden.

Architectural features

The appearance of Hong Kong's concierge house is elegant, which is not only rich in the gorgeous style of neoclassical architecture, but also slightly tropical style; it is not only gorgeous and elegant of Western neoclassicism, but also simple and simple of oriental architecture.

Over the past 100 years, many major renovation projects have been carried out in the government house of Hong Kong. Today, the government house of Hong Kong is not its original appearance. The former governor's house was originally built in the British Georgia era, full of strong colonial color. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the former governor's office was used as the headquarters, and Japanese engineer Shoichi Fujimura was appointed to design a high tower with Japanese tiles on the roof, which weakened the European flavor of the building.

The exterior walls of Hong Kong government house are decorated with plaster, which is full of expressionism and decorative art style; the design of the central tower and roof is influenced by Japanese architectural style. The concierge house of Hong Kong combines different architectural styles with unique characteristics and historical significance.

Main buildings

tower

The central tower was built during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. The tower stands on the original stone steps between the main building and the new wing, connecting the two buildings.

 

Guard room

The two guard rooms are located at the entrance of the main entrance. They were built in 1855. They are the oldest buildings in the government house. They were designed by the then survey director, J. J. Bailey, who was responsible for the construction of the first generation of governor's house in the 1850s.

 

Banquet Hall

The banquet hall is a place where the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region hosts banquets, awards ceremonies and community activities for distinguished guests at home and abroad.

 

dining room

The dining room is a place where the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region hosts banquets for distinguished guests at home and abroad.

 

Reception room

The reception hall is used to receive guests and hold meetings. The ceiling and wall body of the hall are decorated with exquisite grey sculpture.

 

garden

There are a variety of flowers and trees in the gardens and courtyards of Hong Kong Government House, including more than 30 kinds of plants, such as Rhododendron safflower tea, Melastoma brasiliensis, Rhododendron fairyland, dahonghua, Mallow, Canary, Phalaenopsis, chrysanthemum, goldfish grass, autumn cherry, hydrangea, etc. and Hydrangea which has been included in the book of ancient trees by the leisure and Cultural Services Department.

 

Important events

After Hong Kong's return to China, successive chief executives will hold a New Year reception, a medal ceremony, a flag ceremony of the Hong Kong Olympic delegation and other important activities in the government house.

 

 

In order to promote the links between Hong Kong and other countries, and to support Hong Kong in holding large-scale international conferences and public welfare activities, the government of protocol is often used as an activity venue.

 

On July 2, 1998, the chief executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, hosted a dinner at the former governor's office in honor of US President Clinton.

 

On November 5, 2000, Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese people's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with key officials of the Hong Kong SAR government, members of the Executive Council and heads of the legislative and judicial bodies at the government house of protocol.

 

On November 19, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji attended and delivered a speech at the welcome dinner of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government at the government house of protocol.

 

On June 29, 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council attended the signing ceremony of the mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement at the government house of protocol in Hong Kong, met with Hong Kong people and delivered a speech.

 

On July 23, 2003, British Prime Minister Blair paid a visit.

 

On September 16, 2003, Johannes law, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, paid a visit.

 

On October 12, 2004, President Chirac of the French Republic paid a visit.

 

On December 6, 2009, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Canada.

 

On April 17, 2011, President Dmitry Medvedev of the Russian Federation paid a visit.

 

On July 25, 2011, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid a visit.

 

On June 29, 2012, Chinese President Hu Jintao attended a family dinner hosted by the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Donald Tsang, at the government house.

 

On November 23, 2013, European Commission President Barroso paid a visit.

 

On September 6, 2016, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Canada.

 

On June 30, 2017, President Xi Jinping and his wife attended the dinner at the government house.

 

On April 9, 2018, the Prime Minister of the kingdom of the Netherlands, mark rutt, paid a visit.

 

History and culture

Related people

The former Hong Kong government house was the official residence of the governor of Hong Kong in the British colonial era. After its completion in 1855, Baoning, the fourth governor of Hong Kong, became the first owner of the house of protocol. 25 governors successively used the house of protocol as their official residence, including the last governor patten.

 

The first chief executive of Hong Kong, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, decided to stay in his private residence after taking office, but did not move into the government house. The second Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and his family moved into the government house in 2006, becoming the first head of the SAR government to live and work in the government house.

 

On October 29, 2012, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Leung Chun Ying, and his wife officially moved to the Hong Kong government house.

 

Mrs. Lam is the first hostess in the history of Hong Kong government house.

 

The origin of naming

On the eve of Hong Kong's return to China, the team designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government originally intended to change the name of the governor's office to the special capital. However, because the first chief executive of Hong Kong, Tung Chee Hwa, did not move in, there were problems in the previous naming. At first, the government called it "the former governor's office". After discussion by experts, it was suggested that the building should be renamed "Zilu", which means the building is dark purple brown

Chinese PinYin : Xiang Gang Li Bin Fu