The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, visited Foshan and Guangzhou, where he met with the Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, Ms Liu Yumei, today (July 12) to discuss ways to enhance cultural and tourism efforts of Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Mr Yeung also met with Vice Mayor of the People's Government of Foshan Municipality Mr Huang Shaowen, and the Director of the Foshan Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports, Ms Xu Mixun, yesterday (July 11) to exchange views on cultural and tourism development opportunities.
      
     Mr Yeung said, "The National 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, while the Culture and Tourism Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) states support for Hong Kong to develop into a more competitive global platform for cultural exchange, as well as an international tourism hub and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau has been integrating into the national development based on the principle of 'shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism', and exploring room for cultural and tourism collaboration. With the rich cultural and tourism resources of Foshan and Guangzhou, we will continue to strengthen connections with other cities in the GBA, contributing to creating wonderful travelling experiences of Chinese culture and telling the good stories of China."
      
     Mr Yeung started his itinerary upon his arrival in Foshan yesterday. He visited the Xiqiao National Arts Film Studio and the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Museum to learn more about local efforts in developing projects which integrate film, television and tourism as well as promoting Cantonese opera. During his visit in Guangzhou, Mr Yeung visited the Guangzhou Opera House, the Zhujiang Piano Chuangmengyuan, the Xinghai Concert Hall and the Guangzhou Cultural and Arts Centre to get a grasp on the local work of bolstering cultural and creative industries' development, the operation of various cultural facilities and their support to exhibitions and performances.
      
     Mr Yeung will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Ends/Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Issued at HKT 14:30

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