Kevin Yeung meets SZ officials

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung called on Shenzhen Vice Mayor Zhang Hua and Director General of the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio & Television Zeng Xianglai in Shenzhen today.

They exchanged views on deepening collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen on culture, sports and tourism and taking forward the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Mr Yeung said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has always attached great importance to liaising with Shenzhen.

He pointed out that the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau (CSTB) held a meeting in Hong Kong in February with Shenzhen government officials and the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio & Television to explore opportunities of stepping up co-operation.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board also signed the Tourism Co-operation Agreement with the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio & Television, with the goal of jointly exploring opportunities of promoting tourism resources in both places.

The Culture & Tourism Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area clearly indicates Hong Kong's position in developing into an international tourism hub and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism.

Mr Yeung said with the country's support and collaboration with other bay area cities including Shenzhen, Hong Kong can surely help to develop the GBA into a world-class bay area for leisure by taking advantage of its well-developed cross-boundary infrastructure and rich tourism resources.

On the cultural front, apart from noting that Hong Kong is positioned as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Mr Yeung said the Hong Kong SAR Government set up the CSTB to consolidate the relevant policies and steer new development.

In recent years, the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen have been striving to build large-scale cultural facilities, promote the integration of culture and technology and nurture talent.

Mr Yeung pointed out that with Hong Kong and Shenzhen sharing the same root and having similar development strategies, the two places should seize the golden opportunity to foster co-ordinated development.

It was announced in this year’s Budget that $135 million will be provided over five years, starting from the 2023-24 year, to support Hong Kong performing arts groups and artists in taking part in performances and productions in the bay area, while $20 million will be allocated to host the GBA Culture & Arts Festival in 2024.

Mr Yeung explained that such a commitment demonstrates the Hong Kong SAR Government's determination in promoting art and cultural development in the bay area.

Before concluding his tour of the coastal city, Mr Yeung visited the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art & Urban Planning.