Hong Kong Chief Secretary visits New York City

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Henry Tang visits the Museum of Modern Art, where he was briefed on the facilities and exhibits at the museum.

The Chief Secretary meets with senior Lincoln Center executives while touring the complex.

During his visit to New York City on January 11, Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang officiated at a reception jointly organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York and the Hong Kong Tourism Board. 

With more than 200 in attendance from the financial, economic, trade and academic sectors, Mr. Tang underlined the importance of the United States as a major source market for Hong Kong tourism. He highlighted various tourism projects under way in Hong Kong and the city’s participation in the upcoming Shanghai World Expo. He also encouraged more New Yorkers to visit Hong Kong in the Year of the Tiger.
Mr. Tang emphasized to the audience his government’s determination to establish Hong Kong as Asia's cultural hub and discussed the exciting potential of the West Kowloon Cultural District.  

The Chief Secretary also hosted a luncheon for New York City Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber. Joining the luncheon were area business leaders and representatives of organizations that focus on U.S.-China and U.S.-Hong Kong relations, including the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the Committee of 100 and the Hong Kong Association of New York.  Mr. Tang updated the attendees on major developments in Hong Kong and exchanged views with them on further promoting relations between the two regions.  

While in New York, Mr. Tang visited the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where he was given in-depth briefings on the operation and management of those facilities.  

Founded in 1929, MoMA has grown to include more than 150,000 paintings, sculptures, architectural models and design objects, and its library and archives are the premier research facilities of their kind in the world. MoMA also offers a variety of programs and services to ensure the accessibility of the museum and its collections.  

New York City Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber (far left) welcomes Mr. Tang (center).

Mr. Tang (left) pays a courtesy call to Ambassador Peng Keyu, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York.

Lincoln Center, a 16.3-acre complex, was conceptualized in 1956 as part of an urban renewal program. It comprises 12 resident organizations representing the highest standards of excellence in symphony, opera, chamber music, theater, dance, film and arts education.  

“MoMA and Lincoln Center are two of the most world-renowned and influential arts institutions in the fields of visual and performing arts,” Mr. Tang said. “I am very pleased to learn first-hand how they so successfully manage their programs and enrich the cultural scenes of New York. Their experience is most enlightening in helping us design the West Kowloon Cultural District to achieve similar objectives.”

The Chief Secretary also met with Ambassador Peng Keyu, China’s Consul-General, while in New York. He concluded his visit January 12 with a call on Ambassador Zhang Yesui, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.