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Museum of Coastal Defence opens "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" exhibition (with photos)
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     To mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of the last emperor of China, Puyi, and the 105th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, a new exhibition entitled "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence from tomorrow (August 26) until February 13 next year. The exhibition will showcase invaluable artefacts, historical photos and videos relating to the last emperor of China, allowing members of the public to learn more of the history of modern China.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition today (August 25), the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui, said that the early 20th century saw the end of China's imperial period, which had spanned more than 2 000 years, and the establishment of the Republic of China. She noted that Puyi experienced a very unusual life, from being an emperor to becoming a commoner.

     She said that Puyi was crowned and deposed three times during his life, and lived through several critical periods of history including the late Qing dynasty and early Republican China, the Warlord Period, the period of the puppet Manchu government, the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Pacific War and the founding of New China. The exhibition is very meaningful as the public can follow the life of Puyi and gain more insight into the history of modern China, she added.

     The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Jilin Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, and co-organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence and the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State. It features more than 70 sets of exhibits, including an imported gramophone and a camera from Puyi's sojourn in Tianjin, commemorative medals, official memorials to the throne and the order of appointment from the Manchukuo period as well as Puyi's personal diary and smoking utensils from his time as a commoner in contemporary China. This exhibition showcases the ups and downs of Puyi and also the social changes and upheaval that China underwent in this period.

     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony were the Deputy Director-General of the Jilin Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Ms Sun Rui; the Deputy Director of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State, Ms Zhao Jimin; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Ms Belinda Wong.

     For details of the exhibition, please visit the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence's website at hk.coastaldefence.museum/en_US/web/mcd/exhibition/special.html, or call 2569 1500.
 
Ends/Thursday, August 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:57
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The opening ceremony of the exhibition "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" was held today (August 25) at the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence. Picture shows officiating guests at the opening ceremony (from left): the Deputy Director of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State, Ms Zhao Jimin; the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui; the Deputy Director-General of the Jilin Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Ms Sun Rui; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of History, Ms Belinda Wong.
The Deputy Director of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State, Ms Zhao Jimin (left) introduces exhibits in the exhibition "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" to the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui (right), today (August 25).
According to Qing rituals, the emperor had to wear ceremonial court dress at his coronation ceremony. The exhibition "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" is displaying a replica of the dragon robe worn by Puyi when he ascended to the throne at about 3 years old. (Collection of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State.)
The exhibition "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" is displaying the first executive order issued by Puyi as the Chief Executive of Manchukuo after the state was founded in 1932. (Collection of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State.)
The exhibition "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" is displaying a camera used by Puyi. When Puyi was still living in the Forbidden City, he developed an interest in a Western lifestyle and modern gadgets under the influence of his English teacher, Reginald Fleming Johnston. (Collection of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State.)
The exhibition "From Son of Heaven to Commoner: Puyi, the Last Emperor of China" is displaying Puyi's staff identity card from his time as a researcher of the Literary and Historical Materials Commission of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 1964. (Collection of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State.)