A Library of Controversy: Revisiting Hong Kong's Central Library When the Hong Kong Central Library opened on May 16, 2001, it represented a symbol of the administration's commitment to education and cultural development.
Then Chief Executive Tung Chee hwa promised during the opening ceremony that the library would support education reform and cultural development. However, the grand opening was marred by controversy.
The construction had been delayed for years, and disputes over its cost had become a major issue. The final price tag of HK$690 million – equivalent to around HK$1. 2 billion today – was staggering.