How Hong Kong developed a world-leading port from the ashes of war, and factories, and its maritime future

A new exhibition at Hong Kong Maritime Museum looks at how Hong Kong developed as an international port after Japanese occupation of the city ended in 1945

Through historical artefacts including a Second World War-era bomb, fishermen’s tales and virtual reality, it describes the ‘miracle’ of Hong Kong’s rebirth

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The Kwai Chung Container Terminal, part of Hong Kong’s international port built from the ashes of the second world war - a story told in a new Hong Kong Maritime Museum exhibition. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 11:49am, 24 Jun 2022

The Hong Kong Maritime Museum has just unveiled an exhibition about how the city developed as an international port after the Japanese occupation, during the second world war, ended in August 1945.

Called “Hong Kong’s Maritime Miracle: The Story of Our City since 1945”, it shows how the development of the city’s maritime industry was crucial to the rebuilding and the rebirth of Hong Kong after the war (1939-1945), says Libby Chan Lai-pik, chief curator of the museum.

The exhibition uses historical artefacts, fishermen’s tales, re-enactment of movie scenes and other lively displays to tell the story, and is split into five parts: “Regeneration (1945-1948)”, “Back in Business (1949-1970)”, “The High Growth Years (1960s-1980s)”, “Container Rules (1972-present)”, and “The Future”.

The section “Regeneration” starts with an immediate symbol of war and destruction: a bomb that was recovered from a construction site only a few years ago.

A World War II-era bomb on display at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. Photo: Hong Kong Maritime Museum

The 500lb (227kg) deactivated second world war bomb packs quite a punch – visually – but the museum has further enhanced the experience with the use of virtual reality (VR).