John Lee praises Cantonese opera's role and government support at Chinese Artists Association spring gathering

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu highlighted Cantonese opera as a proud world-class intangible cultural heritage and reaffirmed government commitment to its high-quality development during a Lunar New Year gathering hosted by the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong (CAAHK).

Speaking at the event organized by the CAAHK, Lee noted that since its founding in 1953, the association has served as a pillar of the Cantonese opera community in Hong Kong, dedicated to preserving and promoting this traditional art form.

He emphasized that Cantonese opera represents a cherished cultural treasure and aligns with the directions set out in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, which focuses on promoting outstanding traditional Chinese culture and building Hong Kong’s distinctive cultural identity.

One key priority is supporting the high-quality growth of Cantonese opera.

The government provides venues of various sizes, including the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, and funds multiple research, promotion, and ongoing development projects through the Cantonese Opera Development Fund.

Lee mentioned that last year the fund launched the Outstanding Cantonese Opera Pilot Funding Scheme to support the creation of high-quality new works that advance both tradition and innovation.

He observed that many recent productions have incorporated fresh elements—humorous, satirical, or commentary on current issues—and feature engaging characters set against diverse global political contexts, earning strong popularity.

He encouraged the sector to continue developing innovative new repertoire to attract Hong Kong residents who may not yet appreciate the art form, foster broader public love for Cantonese opera, and produce more outstanding high-quality works that contribute to the development and transmission of Chinese culture.