Although Queen's Pier is not as eye-catching as Star Ferry Pier, Queen's Pier has actually witnessed the development of Hong Kong, as well as the report duty of many of the governors in the colonial period of Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 2007, there are no more official ceremonies held at Queen's Pier. Nonetheless, political leaders from the mainland would not choose to arrive Hong Kong by landing at Queen's pier. Queen's pier cannot be preserved in-situ and it becomes the collective memory of Hong Kong people.

The first Queen's Pier, located near the present-day Statue Square and Mandarin Oriental Hotel, was built in 1925. The existing one, built in 1953, is in fact the second Queen's Pier in Hong Kong. It is a pier in rectangular size, with 3 embarking points for small vessels. There is a food corner selling snacks and drinks, and the pier has a signage of the words "Queen's Pier" in both Chinese and English. As it is a public pier, it becomes a popular point for private and tourist vessels to embark there.

To a certain extent, the Star Ferry Pier may represent social status of ordinary citizens while Queen's Pier may presents colonialism and royal status. Starting from the Governor Sir Robert Black, Queen's Pier has served every Governor thereafter who embarked at Queen's Pier via taking a vessel called 'Lady Maurine'. After the Governors landed Hong Kong, they would perform his inspection of the Guard of Honor and oath taking at Edinburgh Place and City Hall respectively. In addition, Queen Elizabeth II also embarked on Queen's Pier in 1986, and ceremonies were held at Edinburgh Place as well.

Historic buildings not only possess collective memory of Hong Kong people, they are also treasures which are worth for us to cherish and protect. At present, there is a severe conflict between development and heritage conservation, and the government should seek a balance between two so that to achieve a win-win situation. For instance, we suggest that the idea of heritage conservation should be included in the urban planning process so that such historic buildings can be allocated for cultural or commercial uses. This can educate the public the importance of heritage conservation, as well as to promote tourism of Hong Kong! Relevant examples can be referred to Macau where many of the historic buildings are well-preserved for economically viable uses.

We believe that, if the government make efforts to save our heritage assets and listen to what public wants, there must be some ways to achieve this win-win situation.

Chan Chi-lun
Fung Ka-yan
Lam Yik-ching
St. Paul's Secondary School