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Following is the speech by Chief Secretary for Administration Mr Henry Tang at the reception "Hong Kong, A tapestry of Art and Culture" in New York, USA yesterday (January 11, New York time):
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here in this great city. We are right in the heart of New York and that heart is beating as strongly today as it has always been.
Thank you for the chance to talk to you all today. As we are in one of the great cultural capitals of the world, I want to take this opportunity to bring you up to date with our own work in establishing Hong Kong as Asia's cultural hub.
People who have visited the two cities, New York and Hong Kong, often draw a number of comparisons. 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.
People in Hong Kong mark important occasions from East and West with equal enthusiasm. I mention all this because Hong Kong is a place where commerce, culture and traditions come together throughout the year.
In a few weeks, we will celebrate Lunar New Year, which is also called Chinese New Year. It is the most important time of year for Chinese people around the world including here in the Big Apple. It is a time to enjoy Chinese traditions and for families to get together, share a special meal, and exchange our best wishes.
Lunar New Year is a particularly popular time for both our community and our visitors. Indeed, the renowned travel guide, Lonely Planet, has named our traditional Lunar New Year celebrations as the "Best Value Entertainment Around the World".
In the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Tiger will replace the current Year of the Ox on February 14. Yes, we have a "Two-For-One-Deal" this year. That's because Lunar New Year's Day happens to fall on Valentine's Day this year.
If you have the chance, I hope you will come and enjoy this double celebration with us. With our unique history, there is nowhere else that combines western and Chinese culture quite like we do in Hong Kong.
I am also delighted that one of our most colourful traditions is alive and well right here in New York. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York. Once again this summer, Meadow Lake will come alive with the spirit of Hong Kong. The event draws some 1,500 participants and attracts more than 50,000 spectators over the two days of racing and festivities.
In Hong Kong every summer, Dragon Boat racers take to the water around the city for local and international competitions that draw visitors from around the world.
We will be holding the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in spectacular Victoria Harbour in July. We welcome teams from the US and around the world to take part in the international competition and enjoy the fun. It is all part of our diverse and vibrant programme of events annually.
Our Tourism Board is adding new attractions and activities all the time. Last year we held the first Wine and Dine Festival, which immediately was rated one of the top 10 international food and wine festivals by (ForbesTRAVELER.com).
We must be doing something right, because in 2008 more than 29 million visitors came to Hong Kong. That's more than four times the size of our population. Despite the global financial crisis, our tourist arrivals for 2009 reached a record high of close to 30 million, and we aim to attract even more this year.
The US is one of our most important source markets for tourism. In recent years, we have welcomed more than one million tourists from the US annually. Of course, there is plenty of room for more.
These days there is intense competition for the tourist dollar in Asia. Cities around the region provide great value and fascinating experiences. That's why the Hong Kong Government is determined to take things a step further and establish Hong Kong as Asia's cultural hub.
One particularly exciting project is the West Kowloon Cultural District, or WKCD for short. 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.
It will be our very own West End but with a Broadway skyline. 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.
This may sound ambitious for a city of just seven million people. But don't forget the almost 30 million visitors each year. We are also on the doorstep of the Mainland of China and a short hop from the thriving Pearl River Delta region which is home to over 50 million people.
Fewer restrictions for cross-boundary travel and new transport infrastructure are making it easier for everyone to get around. We are pressing ahead with a project to construct 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.
The government has provided an upfront endowment of about US$2.8 billion [HK$21.6 billion] for the project and the first phase of WKCD is scheduled to open in 2014/15.
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.
Each year the Government either sponsors or promotes more than 4,000 cultural and educational programmes including major events such as the Hong Kong Arts Festival and International Film Festival.
In addition to WKCD, Hong Kong has invested some US$4 billion [HK$30 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.
In the coming few years, we are investing another US$2.2 billion [$17 billion] in tourism infrastructure. This will create jobs, promote economic activity and ensure the sustainable development of the industry. It includes making full use of our magnificent natural harbour and our reputation as a popular destination for cruise travellers. Work has begun on a world-class cruise terminal that will be able to handle the largest cruise liners. The new terminal is expected to open for business in 2013.
After hearing all this, I am sure you would agree Hong Kong is a city with unlimited potential. Indeed, this is how we would like to portray Hong Kong in the Shanghai World EXPO several months later. We will showcase the infinite possibilities you can find in the city life of Hong Kong: global connectivity, boundless creativity, invaluable natural and historical treasures. If you plan to participate in the EXPO, I recommend you to take a stroll in the Hong Kong Pavilion, located in the front of the China Pavilion: just like our unique geo-economic position as a gateway to China. Better still, make a stop in Hong Kong on your way.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is proud of its cultural roots. We like to share our cultural treasures such as Cantonese Opera, Dragon Boat racing and gastronomic delights with friends from all over the world.
We would also like to welcome more New Yorkers to our city in the Year of the Tiger. And we will certainly be looking to tap New York's expertise in managing arts facilities and designing programmes as we move forward with WKCD project.
Finally, allow me to wish you all a very happy and prosperous Lunar New Year, or as we say in Hong Kong: Kung Hei Fat Choy.
Thank you.
Ends/Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:35
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