Chief Executive John Lee

Hong Kong strives to develop into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, a positioning supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan. In my Policy Address, I announced new measures to expedite Hong Kong's progression into an arts and cultural hub connecting Hong Kong with all parts of the world. We will launch a new 10-year development blueprint on arts and cultural infrastructural facilities, and set up a new fund to support the hosting of arts and cultural mega events in Hong Kong. We will also expand the support to budding arts troupes and young artists.

To give full play to our unique role as the bridge between our country and the world, we will step up our efforts in the promotion of Chinese culture. We will tell the captivating stories of Hong Kong in the global arena. We endeavour to establish Hong Kong as our country's premier venue of showcasing the successful amalgam of traditional Chinese culture, and international and contemporary presentations.

Here and now would be a good start to all of our endeavours. Now, as our renowned Hong Kong Arts Festival turns a new page to the next 50 years of success, and here, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the latest world-class addition to our burgeoning West Kowloon Cultural District, complete with a spectacular display of priceless Chinese treasures and remarkable international masterpieces.

Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the launching ceremony of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation and Hong Kong Arts Festival 50th anniversary gala dinner on October 25.