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Hong Kong is keen to further promote the development of its creative industries and enhance arts and cultural ties with Korea, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative, Ms Sally Wong, said at the opening ceremony of an exhibition of works by a leading Hong Kong artist, Mr Michael Lau, in Seoul, Korea, today (February 7).
"This opening ceremony and the exhibition are testimony to the closer arts and cultural ties between Hong Kong and Korea," Ms Wong said.
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, Ms Wong outlined the Government's efforts in the arts and cultural fields as well as the creative industries.
"The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, announced in his maiden Policy Address last month that the Government will inject an additional HK$300 million into the CreateSmart Initiative, which is a fund aimed at providing financial support for projects conducive to the development of creative industries in Hong Kong.
"We have also embarked on an ambitious project to give artistic and cultural life in Hong Kong a further boost by developing a 40-hectare harbourfront site into the West Kowloon Cultural District, where the best cultural and arts programmes and exhibitions from around the world can be held starting from 2015.
"Two new facilities, the Comix Home Base and the PMQ, will also come on stream later this year, providing new landmarks and platforms for the growth of animation, comics and design sectors in Hong Kong," she said.
Ms Wong pointed out that these developments will provide opportunities to Korean artists to showcase their talents to the Hong Kong audience and stimulate more arts and cultural exchanges between artists in the two places.
The ceremony, sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, marked the opening of an exhibition featuring designer figures by Mr Lau, the first Hong Kong artist to hold a solo art exhibition in Seoul. The exhibition will be open to the public from tomorrow (February 8) to April 14.
Ends/Thursday, February 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:28
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