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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Stephen Lam, today (October 8) hosted a luncheon for cultural ministers and senior officials from various parts of Asia attending the "Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum 2011".
Among the 60 guests attending the luncheon were cultural ministers, senior officials and representatives from the arts and culture sector of the Mainland of China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
At the luncheon, Mr Lam spoke on the theme of this year's Forum – "Intangible Cultural Heritage – Continuation and Enhancement." He highlighted three important tasks the Hong Kong Government was undertaking in preserving and enhancing cultural heritage, namely investment, intangible heritage and international collaboration.
Regarding investment, Mr Lam said that the Government had committed more than $2.8 billion, or 1 per cent of total government expenditure, in the current financial year to support the development of arts and cultural software. He added that cultural and creative industries had been identified as a priority sector for our economy.
Mr Lam, who also chairs the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, referred to the District as the city's single largest strategic investment in arts and culture. "The Cultural District, with its unique East-meet-West elements, will be a perfect platform for promoting cultural exchanges and co-operation," said Mr Lam.
In Hong Kong much has been achieved in recent years in preserving intangible cultural heritage – and some have been well recognised. Mr Lam cited Cantonese opera, which had been officially recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, and four traditional Hong Kong activities which were declared national intangible cultural heritage in June 2011, to demonstrate the joint efforts of the Government and the community.
As for international efforts, Mr Lam urged for stronger collaboration between governments, institutions and other stakeholders across the region to promote greater understanding and foster friendship among Asia's many different cultures.
Before the luncheon Mr Lam and the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, met with the Minister of Culture, Dr Cai Wu, and exchanged views on the promotion of cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Ends/Saturday, October 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:46
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