The Hong Kong government decided not to list Queen's Pier a pier along the coast of Victoria Harbor, as a historical monument, said Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Wednesday.

He said that after having thoroughly considered all relevant factors and information, Queen's Pier did not possess the requisite historical and archaeological significance for it to be declared as a monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

The destiny of the pier has caused a friction in the past weeks between groups trying to preserve the harbor as part of collective memory and the government planning to move the pier in giving way to a new shopping mall and a high way.

The decision is considered a stroke to those who are trying to list the pier as a historical monument to avoid its demolition. Once listed as historical monument, any demolition, alterations or disruptions to the building could only take place with permits granted by the Antiquities Authority.

Ho agreed that Queen's Pier possessed certain historical significance for a testimony to the colonial rule of Hong Kong, but it fell short of the requirements for it to be declared as a monument.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2007)