The year 2008 marks the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Police Painting and Calligraphy Club (HKPPCC). To celebrate this important milestone, HKPPCC will organise a Jubilee Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition in the Exhibition Hall of the City Hall from August 1 to 3.

Having accepted an invitation to officiate at the ribbon-cutting ceremony are Mr Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Mr Zhu Xiaoping, Director General of the Police Liaison Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Cai Wenzhong, Deputy Director of Publicity, Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Lee Kam-yin, Chairman of Visual Arts Group, Hong Kong Arts Development Council; Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Yam Tat-wing; Hong Kong Island Regional Commander Hung Hak-wai, and Chairman of HKPPCC.

Establishment of HKPPCC

Currently with a membership exceeding 1,000, it is one of the most sophisticated clubs in the local circle of painting and calligraphy. With the support of the Force management and guidance of various instructors over the past 25 years, the membership has increased and arts has become more popular with Force members. The works of HKPPCC members have been well received in the exchange activities conducted in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas.

Locally, HKPPCC organised roving exhibitions at the invitation of the former Urban Council, and organised joint arts activities with the Civil Service Bureau, Fight Crime Committee, Police Credit Union and various Police formations. HKPPCC is also active in promoting a healthy lifestyle, participating in Police Arts Festival, Healthy Lifestyle Carnival, and Cathay Cultural Festival, and organising painting and calligraphy activities for parents and their children.

In cross-border exchanges, HKPPCC has visited the arts clubs in Beijing, Shenzhen and Macao. It has also organised two very successful Shenzhen - Hong Kong Police painting and calligraphy exhibitions jointly with the Shenzhen Police Blue Shield Painting and Calligraphy Club.

The Jubilee Exhibition will feature over 300 calligraphic works, Chinese paintings, western paintings, seal carving works and calligraphic works by hard-tipped pens. The great variety of this superb collection will provide a veritable feast for the eyes and produce a rich artistic atmosphere in the prestigious exhibition hall. This exhibition will reveal in full Force members' versatility and artistic qualities.

There will be special guided tours during the exhibition, with three former chairmen briefing visitors on the exhibited works on the morning and afternoon of August 2 and 3. The tours will be followed by a demonstration of painting and calligraphy.

HKPPCC will continue to support promotion of the "one officer, one art" concept, and participate in community services. It has accepted an invitation to take part in a painting and calligraphy exhibition for the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, which will be held in Macao and Shenzhen at the end of this year. The exhibition will provide a glimpse of the exquisite creations in the four places, and an opportunity for HKPPCC members to meet masters from the four places to promote national culture and arts.