Hong Kong’s rich cinematic heritage and tourism are coming together at a historic venue in Yau Ma Tei, with the launch of a new exhibition designed to boost cultural engagement and economic activity.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the "Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey" exhibition on Thursday, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said Hong Kong police and crime films represented a valuable part of the city’s film and television heritage.

He described the old police station as a historic pre-war building with a distinct architectural character that had long been used as a backdrop for police and crime dramas and was already popular with visitors.

As such, he added, that made the site a fitting choice for an exhibition focused on classic Hong Kong police and crime films.

As head of a working group on tourist hotspots, Cheuk said this is the second film-themed exhibition, following one last year about Kowloon Walled City, and that they formed part of nine tourism hotspot projects announced previously.

"We hope to combine Hong Kong's film culture with tourism to enrich cultural and travel experiences, thereby driving the local economy," he said.

"Even though the exhibition area isn't large for now, it is rich in content, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the highlights and iconic scenes of classic police films. We might even expand it in the future."

The opening ceremony was also attended by Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law, Secretary for Security Chris Tang, Police Commissioner Joe Chow and actor Simon Yam.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday, offering an immersive environment where visitors can relive memorable moments from Hong Kong’s iconic police and crime movies.