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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the capacity of the Vice-Chairperson of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council (ECCPC), carried out his visit programme in Taipei today (November 23). During the visit he officiated at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Week 2012, a 10-day cultural event.
Addressing the ceremony this evening, Mr Tsang said that the establishment of the cultural co-operation committees under the ECCPC and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council (THEC) has provided a new platform for co-operation in the area of culture and the arts as well as in the creative industries of the two places.
"We hope that both sides can fully utilise this platform, the cultural co-operation committees established under the ECCPC and the THEC," Mr Tsang said.
"We wholeheartedly wish to strengthen exchange and collaboration in the development of culture and the creative industries between Hong Kong and Taiwan. This will not only enrich the cultural life of the people in the two places, allowing further room for development of the cultural and creative industries, but also enable us to work together to promote our brilliant cultural traditions and innovative works to the world," he said.
Mr Tsang said he hopes that Hong Kong Week can provide a new platform for exchange between arts practitioners and organisations in the two places, bringing fresh impetus and creating more opportunities for co-operation in the cultural and creative industries on both sides.
Mr Tsang also met with the "Minister of Culture" in Taiwan, Ms Lung Ying-tai, this morning to exchange views on the development of culture and the arts as well as the creative industries, and the ways to enhance exchange and collaboration between the two places.
During his stay, Mr Tsang also took the opportunity to meet with local cultural personalities, including the Chief Executive of the Koo Foundation, Ms Vivien Ku, and the Founder and Artistic Director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Mr Lin Hwai-min. He also met with the Hong Kong-Taiwan Cultural Co-operation Committee (HKTCCC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Cultural Co-operation Committee.
Mr Tsang, together with the Convener of the HKTCCC under the ECCPC, Mr Fredric Mao, met with the Chairman of the THEC, Mr Lin Chen-kuo, and the Convenor of the Cultural Co-operation Committee under the THEC, Ms Hsu Li-lin, yesterday (November 22) to discuss the way forward for the co-operation of the two cultural co-operation committees. Both sides agree that there are ample opportunities and room for cultural co-operation in the two places.
Organised by the HKTCCC and co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan), Hong Kong Week 2012 commenced today and will last for 10 days. The HKTCCC, which was established under the ECCPC, organised the inaugural Hong Kong Week as a major event aiming to showcase to Taiwan audiences the diversity of Hong Kong's cultural scene.
With the theme "Culture & Creativity", Hong Kong Week 2012 covers different forms of arts and creative industries. The line-up includes drama, jazz music, multimedia theatre, Chinese orchestral music, contemporary Chinese music, modern dance and pop music performances, as well as dance video, a comic exhibition, more than 10 extension activities and other attractions. Over 320 art practitioners from Hong Kong are participating in the event. The opening programme is the "I Have a Date with Autumn" by the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, and the closing programme is "Jewel from Hong Kong" by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.
Ends/Friday, November 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:40
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