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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, met with the UK Minister for Culture and Tourism, Margaret Hodge today (November 4, UK Time). They discussed strengthening arts and cultural links between Hong Kong and the UK and shared experiences on the promotion of art and culture. Mr Tang also took the opportunity to update Mrs Hodge on the progress of the West Kowloon Cultural District project.
To gain further insights into the planning and operation of comprehensive arts and cultural venues, Mr Tang took time to visit the Barbican Centre and the Tate Modern arts gallery.
The Barbican Centre is an important multi-arts centre in Europe, featuring art, film, music, theatre, dance, education as well as residential areas. Mr Tang was updated on the ways in which the complex has evolved and developed over more than 25 years, as well as Barbicanˇ¦s mode of governance.
Tate Modern is Britain's national gallery of international contemporary art, created in 2000 from a disused power station. It currently attracts more than five million visitors a year. Mr Tang was briefed on Tate Modernˇ¦s expansion plan.
Also today, Mr Tang paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Madam Fu Ying.
Ends/Thursday, November 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 06:51
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