HK, China to shine in first performance arts market

Hong Kong will hold its first performing arts market in the near future - a plan that Paul Chan said will serve as an "integrated platform" for showcasing the works of performance artists and groups around the world.

The market, for which Chan has earmarked HK$42 million, will feature mainland and Hong Kong talent through exhibitions, forums, performances and sales.

"The event will also facilitate exchanges between renowned overseas performing artists as well as arts groups and their counterparts in the mainland and Hong Kong," he said.

The weeklong market is expected to be held at the end of next year with around 1,000 artists from 50 regions participating.

It will see various types of performing arts events including opera and mime, though a venue is yet to be confirmed.

Emilie Yeh Yueh-yu, dean of the Faculty of Arts at Lingnan University, said it is "very appropriate" timing to launch the event and the hope is that the funding will become a permanent arrangement.

Meanwhile, HK$1.26 billion has been earmarked to support the tourism industry. That compares with the previous budgeted sum of HK$934 million. Some HK$600 million will be allocated to a new three-year local tours scheme.

Its aim is to provide incentives for the sector to develop and launch tourism products with cultural and heritage elements and to support the operation of the Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme launched in December 2019.

The new scheme is expected to roll out in the second half of the year, with opportunities for tour guides to familiarize themselves with sites and to add to places featured.

The scheme will use the Green Lifestyle program as a blueprint.

Some 20,000 people who work in tourism will also benefit from HK$60 million funding for training over the three years of the program with the focus on raising professional standards and service quality.

Other funding is also going to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the implementation of a culture and tourism plan for the Greater Bay Area.

The board will continue its Holiday at Home campaign and launching a new one - Open House Hong Kong - when cross-border travel resumes gradually, Chan said.

In response, board chairman Pang Yiu-kai thanked government officials for giving financial backing for plans to develop arts and culture and to promote cultural and heritage projects.

"These initiatives not only help strengthen Hong Kong's new positioning as an East-meets-West center for international arts and cultural exchange but also benefit the long-term development of the tourism industry tremendously," he said.

The board will also earmark HK$100 million from its reserves for marketing initiatives, Pang said.

Tourism sector legislator Perry Yiu Pak-leung noted that suggestions from the sector have been heard. He said there is also a hope authorities will help fund sectors affected significantly by the pandemic, including tourism, to assist the resumption of business.

Chan noted too that authorities are implementing a HK$20 billion, five-year plan for sports and recreational facilities and moving on construction and upgrading plans.

Among them, Victoria Harbour promenade will be extended by a kilometer, contributing to a total length of 26km.

There are plans to open the Hoi Sham Park extension in Kowloon City and the first section of the promenade under private development in the former Kai Tak runway area.

carine.chow@singtaonewscorp.com