Hong Kong Chief Secretary Henry Tang delivers a speech January 11 at the “Hong Kong: A Tapestry of Art and Culture” reception, where he spoke about Hong Kong’s goal to become Asia’s cultural hub.

Mr. Tang said that with an annual influx of nearly 30 million visitors, Hong Kong already is a tourism center of Asia. Now, the government wants to step things up a notch by establishing Hong Kong as Asia's cultural hub.

To further that end, the government has provided an upfront endowment of approximately US$2.8 billion for the WKCD project; 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 harbor. We are both international business and financial centers and melting pots for culture.”

Kicking off the 20th anniversary celebration of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York are (from left): Director the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York Monica Chen, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong, Hong Kong Chief Secretary Henry Tang, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York Chairman Henry Wan, Ambassador Peng Keyu, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York and Director, USA, of Hong Kong Tourism Board Bill Flora.

The WKCD can only further enhance Hong Kong's cultural standing. “The WKCD is a 40-hectare site along our spectacular Victoria Harbor, and it is about to undergo a dramatic transformation,” the Chief Secretary said. “Plans are well under way for no less than 15 arts facilities on the site, including concert halls, theaters, 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,” he said.

With 7 million residents, 30 million annual visitors and being a short hop from the thriving Pearl River Delta region — home to more than 50 million people — the WKCD has great potential, Mr. Tang said.  

“Fewer restrictions for cross-boundary travel and new transport infrastructure are making it easier for everyone to get around,” he said. “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. Traveling time to Guangzhou will be just 48 minutes, and even less to Shenzhen.

“The potential is enormous for the WKCD to become the cultural focus not only for our city but also for our region.”

The government is also backing front-end initiatives to support the arts, Mr. Tang said. “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 programs to support those with ambitions for a career in the arts.”

Mr. Tang noted, “In addition to the 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 “Hong Kong: A Tapestry of Art and Culture” reception, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, capped the Chief Secretary’s visit to New York. It was attended by approximately 200 guests, including U.S. government officials, academia, management personnel of major art and culture organizations/institutions, media personnel and business contacts.

During the reception, the Chief Secretary, together with Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong and Director the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York Monica Chen, launched the celebratory program of the city’s 20th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 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 in 1991 and has since become a high-profile event on the city’s social calendar.