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Opinion | Hong Kong must evolve beyond big events to be a cultural hub in digital era
- Our administration’s vision of ‘cultural exchange’ remains confined to physical events such as museum exhibitions, performing arts tours and arts festivals
- Hong Kong needs to move with the times and align with the national vision, starting with turning from events-based to industry-based thinking
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The 14th five-year plan is the quinquennial national plan that establishes the strategic direction for China’s economic and social development. One short phrase in the plan has sparked copious discussions in Hong Kong’s cultural industry, and that is the mandate to develop our city into a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
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Yet, despite months of talking, we seem no closer to an action plan. That is because all talk so far has been empty. No one has bothered to fathom or define, through a more nuanced and astute angle, what the mandate could or should entail.
Last month, the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association held a dedicated forum at which Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and state officials delivered addresses on the directive. This occasion spotlighted a divergence between local and mainland officials’ visions and strategies in working towards the ambitious goal, and this divergence might be the most telling takeaway from the forum.
The chief executive’s speech outlined existing policies in four aspects: infrastructure, collaboration with overseas partners, collaboration with the mainland and arts tech. While these elements are certainly important, the speech seemed to lack vision and impact because it read like a progress report.
It revealed how our administration’s vision of “cultural exchange” remains confined to physical events – examples cited included museum exhibitions, performing arts tours and arts festivals.
To be fair, the Hong Kong government has done its part to facilitate these traditional forms of cultural exchange. It has organised and supported numerous international festivals, visits and cross-border collaborations, including the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart), Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong Book Fair and Art Basel Hong Kong, among others.
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