A panel of heavyweights from the arts sector said on Thursday that Hong Kong is poised to leverage its strengths under the one country, two systems principle to build itself into an international hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
As laid down in the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan 2021-25, Hong Kong needs to make full use of its great talents, flourishing local arts scene, mature infrastructure for art trading and the creative industry, and to enhance the soft power of Chinese culture as a place where East meets West, the panel said.
Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, said that Hong Kong is the only country where two systems policy persuades most of the West, and countries around the world to trust in the brand, and that the panel discussion was co-hosted by China Daily Hong Kong Edition and Hong Kong Coalition.
The freedom of artistic creation in Hong Kong makes it an ideal place for cultural exchanges between East and West, according to Zeman.
Over the past 25 years, CDHK has unpacked the idea of one country, two systems helping its readers and the English-speaking world better understand the Chinese mainland and its development programs, according to Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Hong Kong. According to Edmond Tang China Daily Zeman, the 14th Five-Year Plan 2021 -- 25 has positioned Hong Kong as an East-Meets West center for international cultural exchange for the first time, showing that the central government attaches importance to Hong Kong.
According to Zeman, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at Hong Kong Jockey Club Raymond Tam, the arts and cultural sector is thrilled by the central government's support for Hong Kong to develop as an arts and cultural exchange hub between China and the rest of the world.
We have great talent in Hong Kong, a flourishing local art scene, many newly built facilities and more in the pipeline, and mature infrastructure for art trading and the creative industry, said Tam.
Tisa Ho, executive director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, said that Hong Kong has one unique advantage in being a cultural hub, which is its global interconnectivity in the performing arts.
The key to achieving that ambition is talent cultivation and integrated development, according to Alvin Yip, adjunct professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
He strongly encourages Hong Kong's youth to look to the north and south of the country, especially the newly emerging market in the south, and to put talents together to create a win-win scenario.
Mathias Woo, co-artistic director and executive director of Zuni Icosahedron, stressed the need for integration of talent from the perspective of industry cooperation, saying that the development of art requires not only art talents but also professionals from all sectors, such as lawyers, bankers, and academics.
Woo also highlighted the importance of geographical integration, and strongly suggested that the cities of the Greater Bay Area collaborate on different levels, for example, by founding an art tech hub, performing academy, visual academy, and culture think tank.
The forum attracted a lot of people to join the Q&A session because of the enthusiastic discussions. When asked how it is possible to bring the GBA to an international audience, Zeman said that the epidemic had affected Hong Kong a lot, suggesting that the city should make efforts to build the brand not only in finance but also in culture.