A new cultural and education recreation center that offers all-around support for teachers and students opened in Hong Kong on Tuesday to mark the 25th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland.

The Hong Kong Cultural Core, a five-story building formerly known as Mei Kwun Mansion on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok, was transformed from a residential building with over 50 years of history.

The Cultural Core was established to provide a pleasant experience and environment for teachers and students, as well as to fuel Hong Kong's drive to become a hub for art and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world, according to the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

With an area of over 1,950 square meters, the venue includes two full-floor bookstores, an education center for students, a training center for teachers to improve their skills, and a shopping mall that sells teaching supplies and other daily necessities.

It was jointly established by the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, one of the city's major education groups with over 49,000 members, and Bauhinia Cultural Holdings' Sino United Publishing Group.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the cultural landmark, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the venue's establishment is significant because it will promote the city's education and cultural development.

Lam said her government has attached great importance to the city's education development. Over the past five years, it has significantly increased educational investment, strengthened training and management of teachers, and promoted education of national security and other affairs about the country.

The outgoing leader said after she leaves office in July, she will still be willing to engage in the training of teachers and civil servants and share her experience in implementing "one country, two systems".

Also speaking at the event was chief executive-designate John Lee Ka-chiu, who said the young generation is the future of Hong Kong. He also said the teachers' mission is not just to pass on common knowledge, but also to cultivate students to be an ideal, responsible and law-abiding generation that bears the country in mind when looking to the world to make a contribution to the city, the country and even the world.

Mao Chaofeng, chairman of Bauhinia Culture Holdings, said the education center will provide more qualified services and products in the future, with the aim to play a bigger role in Hong Kong's goal to be an international cultural and arts hub.

"I feel it is very considerate that the mall here can provide many different things to teachers at reasonable prices," said 34-year-old teacher Wong Kar-yui from Kwun Tong Government Secondary School. Wong expressed hope that more exchange activities will be held in the venue for teachers to participate in.

Roxanne Li contributed to this story.