Visitors appreciate the lanterns during a media preview of Lunar New Year Lantern Carnivals at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong culture sector insiders called for more proactive initiatives to better utilize opportunities offered by the nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).
They made the remarks on Tuesday during an event that introduced representatives of the publishing and music industry to the latest opportunities under the national plan.
According to the plan, the central government supports Hong Kong’s development into a hub of art and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
Ma Fung-kwok, a lawmaker representing the city’s Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication Constituency, said at the event that by tasking Hong Kong with the new role, the central government hopes that Hong Kong can become a vital platform for spreading Chinese culture to the world
Ma Fung-kwok, a lawmaker representing the city’s Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication Constituency, said at the event that by tasking Hong Kong with the new role, the central government hopes that Hong Kong can become a vital platform for spreading Chinese culture to the world.
The Hong Kong community should think more about how to leverage its own strengths to increase global communities’ understanding of China and enhance the nation’s global influence in culture.
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To achieve the goal, he suggested the government set up a bureau to take charge of cultural development, add cultural development to the promotion scope of Hong Kong’s overseas Economic and Trade Office, and establish a foundation to support cultural exchanges with overseas areas.
Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, vice-president of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association, called on local business and political sectors to provide more resources to support cultural development, which is important for the city’s long-term development.
He hopes the city can share more opportunities in the culture sector with the nation by co-organizing large exhibitions with mainland cities, and encouraging more Hong Kong publishing talents to seek opportunities on the mainland.
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Chan Pak-li, the under secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said at the session that the government had designated HK$100 million (US$12.9 million) to support the development of the arts and technology. He added that if a designated culture bureau were to be set up in the future, the Commerce and Economic Development would cooperate with its policy setting.