The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (August 25) attended the Seventh Meeting of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Plus Three (China, Japan, Korea) Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts as well as the Third China-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

     Mr Lau attended the meetings as a member of the Chinese delegation representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Chinese delegation is led by the Vice Minister of Culture, Mr Ding Wei.

     At the Third China-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts Meeting, Mr Lau said, "Hong Kong, being a vibrant metropolis with cultures originating from Chinese traditions, can make significant contributions to the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative."

     He added that Hong Kong can serve as a "super-connector" between China and the rest of the world on the cultural front. At present, Hong Kong has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Cultural Co-operation with three ASEAN members, namely Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines. Mr Lau said he hoped to sign more MoUs with countries along the Belt and Road.

     Hong Kong has organised the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum (ACCF) in Hong Kong since 2003 to facilitate cultural exchanges in the region. Moreover, Hong Kong organises the annual outdoor carnival "Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances", which is supported by the consulates-general of various ASEAN countries to showcase traditional music and dance performances by groups from different Asian countries and regions.

     In the meetings, Mr Lau noted that the first of many facilities in the West Kowloon Cultural District - the M+ Pavillion - will open next month. He added that the WKCD would become one of the world’s largest cultural quarters, which will help strengthen ties between China and the world in support of the Belt and Road Initiative.

     Mr Lau started his visit programme in Brunei yesterday (August 24). He attended the welcoming function of the the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Plus Three (China, Japan, Korea) Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts and a gala performance of the ASEAN Festival of Arts. He also visited an art gallery and institutions in Brunei to learn about the arts development there. Mr Lau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (August 26).

Ends/Thursday, August 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:00

NNNN