Hong Kong: A Cultural Hub of Asia

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David Hsieh / Melissa Ng at 212-752-3320
Daniel McAtee at 202-238-6360
Wing Yan Tong at 415-835-9315

January 11, 2010 -In a reception held at one of New York’s grandest venues, Mr. Henry Tang, Chief Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said that the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) project that the Government was undertaking would transform the spectacular Victoria Harbour into Asia’s West End with a Broadway skyline and make Hong Kong the cultural hub of Asia.

Mr. Tang said that with an annual intake of more than 29 million visitors, Hong Kong was already a tourism center of Asia. To take things a step further, the Hong Kong Government was determined to establish Hong Kong as Asia’s cultural hub.

The Government has provided an upfront endowment of about US$2.8 billion for WKCD project, and the first phase is scheduled to open in 2014/15.

“People who have visited the two cities, New York and Hong Kong, often draw a number of comparisons,” said Mr. Tang, “They are both ‘cities that never sleep’. We each have shimmering skyscrapers, great shopping, wonderful food and a spectacular harbour. We are both international business and financial centres and melting pots for culture.”

The WKCD project will further enhance Hong Kong’s cultural standing.

Mr. Tang said, “WKCD is a 40-hectare site along our spectacular Victoria Harbour and it is about to undergo a dramatic transformation. Plans are well under way for no less than 15 arts facilities on the site including concert halls, theatres, a contemporary arts museum, and a mega performance venue. We will select a number of iconic architectural designs and incorporate piazzas for people to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.”
“Our aim is to create a modern and high quality venue to bring arts to the people and people to the arts. World-renowned architects are assisting us in drawing up the development plan for the project,” said Mr. Tang.

With seven million residents and 30 million visitors, plus a short hop from the thriving Pearl River Delta region which is home to over 50 million people, Mr. Tang said WKCD has great potential.

“Fewer restrictions for cross-boundary travel and new transport infrastructure are making it easier for everyone to get around. We are about to start construction of an Express Rail Link that will connect to the high-speed rail network on the Mainland with a terminus in West Kowloon. Travelling time to Guangzhou will be just 48 minutes and even less to Shenzhen.

“The potential is enormous for WKCD to become the cultural focus not only for our city but also for our region.
“In parallel with planning, designing, and building the facilities, we are working hard to strengthen the soft cultural infrastructure. We are raising the profile of the arts in schools and upgrading arts management. We also have various training schemes and funding programmes to support those with ambitions of a career in the arts.”

In conclusion, Mr. Tang said, “In addition to WKCD, Hong Kong has invested some US$4 billion in recent years in attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong Wetland Park and Asia’s longest bi-cable car ropeway. Mickey Mouse and friends came to Hong Kong in 2005 and last month work began at our Disneyland to expand the park and draw even more visitors.”

The reception culminates Mr. Tang’s visit in New York, during which he also toured Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art, and met with major interlocutors, New York City Government officials, and business contacts.

The reception was held at Wall Street Cipriani, one of the grandest venues in New York, and was attended by about 200 guests, including U.S. government officials, academia, management personnel of major art and culture organizations/institutions, media personnel, and business contacts of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York.

During the reception, Mr. Tang, together with Mr. Donald Tong, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, and Ms. Monica Chen, Director the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, also kicked off the celebratory program of the 20th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York by dotting the dragon boat’s eyes.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York was started by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York in 1991 and has since become a high-profile event in the social calendar of New York City.