LCQ17: Supply of major cultural and sports facilities
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Question:
There are views that ensuring a stable supply of major cultural and sports (C&S) facilities is an important foundation for supporting the industrialisation of the cultural sector. It is reported that Hong Kong hosted over 210 mega events in 2024, and that more than 285 large-scale pop concert performances were held in the city between 2024 and the first half of 2025. Rough estimates suggest that these concerts attracted over 3.9 million spectators, including more than 1.4 million tourists, generating approximately $3.4 billion in local spending and contributing around $1.9 billion in value added to the local economy. However, utilisation rates at existing major C&S facilities have consistently exceeded 90 per cent, reflecting an insufficient supply of such facilities. Some members of the sectors consider that this situation has constrained the flexibility with which major events can be staged. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that, according to the Northern Metropolis Action Agenda, the land resources in the Northern Metropolis (NM) offer new opportunities to develop world-class cultural facilities and a pluralistic cultural environment in Hong Kong, and that an iconic cultural complex and various dedicated performing venues will also be built in the San Tin Technopole and the NM, of the Government's specific plans for such cultural and performance facility projects, including the confirmed sites for major C&S facilities, their respective sizes and scales, the anticipated years of completion and the current progress of such projects;
(2) whether the Government has considered enhancing the Revitalisation Scheme for Industrial Buildings to provide further support for the arts, cultural and creative sectors, including introducing facilitation measures to support the staging of small-scale cultural performances in industrial buildings;
(3) given the successful conclusion of the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, in which Hong Kong participated for the first time as a co-host, what plans the Government has in place to consolidate the valuable experience and benefits gained from hosting sports events at Hong Kong's major C&S facilities during the Games, with a view to promoting in-depth integration and development between Hong Kong and other Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area over the long term, and laying the groundwork for future bids to host major international C&S events;
(4) of the progress made to date in implementing the 24 measures announced in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development to enhance the ecosystem for arts, culture and creative industries; whether it has assessed the specific contribution of these measures to increasing the supply of major C&S facilities in Hong Kong; and
(5) given the proposal in "The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address" to build Hong Kong into a centre for mega international sports events, whether the authorities will, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong's industrial competitiveness as an international sports city, conduct a comprehensive review of the operating mechanisms of major C&S facilities, including identifying key facilities for market-oriented reform, so as to optimise resource allocation and meet the growing demand for sports, thereby providing full support for the industrialisation of Hong Kong's C&S sectors?
Reply：
President：
In consultation with the Development Bureau, the reply to the question raised by the Hon Kenneth Fok is as follows:
(1) and (4) The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and partner organisations have been actively taking forward the 71 measures under the four strategic directions of the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development (Blueprint), including the 24 measures under Strategic Direction 4 "Enhance the Ecosystem for the Arts, Culture and Creative Industries". At present, the implementation of various Blueprint measures is of good progress and significant development has been achieved for many of them.
On increasing the supply of large-scale culture facilities, we have implemented the reformed hiring policy for public performance venues progressively, providing spaces that better cater for arts and cultural activities of the time through repositioning the performance venues. Specific measures include refocusing the Hong Kong Coliseum to prioritise concerts; positioning the East Kowloon Cultural Centre as a signature venue for long-running performances and arts technology; according priority for Cantonese opera at the Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium; and enhancing the LCSD's Venue Partnership Scheme. We hope to provide more slots for different arts groups and concert organisers, and align with the new policy objectives as developing mega events (including concerts) economy and promoting the integration of culture and tourism.
In addition, we have also dedicated resources in developing and enhancing culture facilities. Currently under construction and scheduled to be completed in 2026, the WestK Performing Arts Centre (WestK PAC) will provide a 1 450-seat Grand Theatre, a 600-seat Medium Theatre and a 270-seat Studio Theatre. The LCSD is also implementing multiple projects on the development of culture facilities in the Northern Metropolis in an orderly manner. Projects under construction include the Hong Kong Conservation Repository (formerly the Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre) in Tin Shui Wai and the New Territories East Cultural Centre in Fanling. The Hong Kong Conservation Repository in Tin Shui Wai is expected to come into operation in 2028. The Repository will enhance the institutional capacity and elevate the position of the LCSD in the acquisition, preservation, research, and display of artefacts, as well as serving as a platform to nurture young people and encourage cultural exchanges, thereby injecting new impetus into the development of conservation profession in Hong Kong. The New Territories East Cultural Centre in Fanling is expected to open in 2030. It will serve as a multi-purpose professional performance venue, providing an interactive platform facilitating collaborations among arts groups from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Besides, we are working proactively with relevant museums in the Chinese Mainland on the preparatory works for establishing the museum showcasing the development and achievements of our country in Kwu Tung North.
In the long run, the Government is exploring the establishment of a large-scale cultural complex in San Tin Technopole, which includes a major museum, a performance venue and a library, bringing together a diverse and world-class array of local and international exhibitions and performances, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
In the meantime, to support the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Government has reserved sites for developing various sports and recreation facilities, including sports centres, swimming pools, and facilities for fencing training and competition. These facilities will meet the sports and recreation needs of the community, support the staging of sports events, and provide training venues for local athletes. Making best use of their strategic locations in the Northern Metropolis, they can strengthen the collaboration and exchange with the GBA, thereby contributing to the sports development in Hong Kong.
The Government will continue to review the order of priority of works projects under planning and update their works schedules as appropriate so as to make more effective use of public resources.
(2) The Government has been exploring ways to relax restrictions of different venues to open up more spaces for performances and exhibitions, such as allowing cinemas to be used for live performances. According to the prevailing laws, if a cinema is to be used for live performances, its operator must apply for and obtain from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) a one-off special permission prior to the live performances. Depending on whether temporary structures need to be erected, the approval process takes at least 18 or 42 working days. To further streamlining the application procedures, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency had convened a meeting in July 2025 rounding up the relevant Government departments (including the FEHD, the Fire Services Department and the Buildings Department) and the Hong Kong Theatres Association to identify room for streamlining. The FEHD has been actively working with the relevant departments to draw up a standard application form to facilitate the submission of application by operators.
In respect of the industrial buildings (IBs), the Revitalisation Scheme for IBs reactivated by the Government in 2018 comprises two aspects of redevelopment and wholesale conversation. For redevelopment of IBs constructed before 1987, subject to technical feasibility study and approval by the Town Planning Board, the plot ratio after redevelopment may be increased by up to 20 per cent. As regards to wholesale conversation of IBs aged 15 years or above in "Commercial" or "Industrial" zones, waiver fees may be exempted, and if the IB was constructed in or after 1987, 10 per cent of the converted floor space must be used for purposes designated by the Government including arts and cultural or creative industries. In respect of IBs with fragmented ownership and no redevelopment or conversation plans, the prevailing policy allows owner of individual IB units to use the units, without having to apply for a short-term waiver from the Lands Department (LandsD) and pay waiver fees, for five specified uses (Note 1), which include "Art Studio" (e.g. rehearsal space for art performances). However, considering that the other units in the concerned IB may still be used for industrial purposes and in view of public safety, the uses do not include any uses or activities that directly provide services or goods to attract public visits (including public performance). The Development Bureau is conducting a new round of study on industrial stock with the Planning Department and the LandsD, and will put forward recommendations this year, including the way forward for the Revitalisation Scheme for IBs.
The Government will continue to explore ways to relax restrictions of different venues to open up more venue spaces.
(3) Hong Kong co-hosted the 15th National Games (NG), and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGDSO) with Guangdong and Macao for the first time, making full use of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) and other existing sports facilities, and showcasing how cities in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao leverage their advantages in the GBA. It also demonstrated the capabilities of Hong Kong in hosting major sports events. The experience from co-hosting the NG and the NGDSO not only enhanced Hong Kong's ability to organise mega events, but also deepened sports exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and promoted the integrated development of GBA.
During the NG, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Macao SAR Government and the People's Government of Guangdong Province signed the agreement with the General Administration of Sport of China on the strengthening of sports co-operation and promotion of integrated development (the Four-Party Agreement). The Four-Party Agreement aims to bolster sports exchanges and the integrated development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA, including further collaboration in areas such as consolidation of sports resources and joint hosting of sports competitions. Under the strategic framework of the Four-Party Agreement, there will be more frequent exchanges between government departments and sports associations of the three places, laying a solid foundation for future co-operation between Hong Kong and GBA to co-host major events.
(5) The Government has all along attached great importance to sports development and is committed to optimising the operation mechanism of relevant facilities to ensure effective resource allocation, meet the demand for sports and promote the development of the sports industry.
With the commissioning of KTSP and the successful conclusion of the NG and the NGDSO, Hong Kong's experience in planning large-scale sports infrastructure and organising international-level competitions has been enhanced. The Government will make best use of KTSP and other sports infrastructures to attract more major international sports events to be held in Hong Kong, driving economic benefits from "sports + mega events" development, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as the centre for major international sports events and contributing to the development of sports as an industry.
Moreover, "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" announced that market-based business models will be introduced into designated facilities of the LCSD to provide more diverse value-added activities. Feasibility of engaging the market to enhance the operations of the Lei Yue Mun Park holiday camp and selected beaches will also be explored to promote the development of recreational, leisure and aquatic hotspots. The LCSD has designated eight leisure and cultural facilities under their management, including the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Chater Garden, the Kai Tak Station Square, for introducing commercial elements and flexibly providing more diverse value-added activities to enhance their attractiveness in support of the development of Hong Kong's cultural and sports industries.
Note 1: Other uses are "Office (Design and Media Production)", "Office (Audio-visual Recording Studio)", "Office (used by "specific creative industries" including design and media production companies, printing and publishing, film companies and industry organisations related to the film industry)" and "Research, Design and Development Centre".
Ends/Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:30
Issued at HKT 12:30
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