The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) hosted an "Arts Forum x Networking Reception" (the Forum) in Sydney, Australia, today (June 13) to foster cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Australia and showcase Hong Kong as a vibrant arts and cultural hub.

     Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association (HKAAA), the Forum was attended by more than 70 participants from various fields, including local arts and cultural leaders, business executives, government representatives, the media and the HKAAA delegation.

     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Miss Trista Lim, said in her welcoming remarks that Hong Kong is Asia's city of culture and creativity, bustling with an array of blockbuster events. "In addition to staging mega arts events in Hong Kong, we also enable Hong Kong arts groups and artists to connect with audiences of different places. Today's event is a testimony to the Government's dedication to setting the stage for cultural dialogues and exchanges," she said.

     Miss Lim added that the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund has been open for application in April to encourage more large-scale arts and cultural events to treat Hong Kong as their home. To realise the positioning of Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Government will continue to spare no effort to develop world-class cultural facilities and a pluralistic cultural environment.

     Miss Lim also shared with participants various initiatives of the Government to attract talent to Hong Kong, including the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the recent expansion of the Talent List.

     Prominent leaders from the arts and cultural sectors in Australia took part in a panel discussion to share their valuable insights and experiences of working across Australia, Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region. They highlighted partnership and collaboration strategies for arts organisations with successful cases to inspire the audience. A networking reception was held after the Forum to foster further exchanges between arts practitioners from Hong Kong and Australia.
 
     After the programme in Sydney, the HKAAA delegation will proceed to Melbourne and attend the Australian Performing Arts Market at RISING Melbourne. A closing reception will be held in Melbourne on June 16 with the support of the Sydney ETO to conclude their visit.

Ends/Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:45

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