Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (seventh from left), Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung (eighth from left) and Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova (sixth from left) pose for a group photo with cultural ministers and senior officials of Asian countries at the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum 2022 in Hong Kong on Dec 14, 2022. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Russia have agreed to increase cooperation in the field of culture and arts, which “will contribute to extending friendship and mutual understanding”.
The pledge came when Russia’s Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova met with Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung on the sidelines of the two-day Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum in the city on Thursday, according to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in the HKSAR.
It was decided to explore opportunities for further development of cooperation between Russia and the Hong Kong SAR, encourage interaction between cultural institutions and exchange information about cinematographic events, the consulate said in a statement.
Our country has indicated clear support for Hong Kong to develop into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, HKSAR
Stressing that Russian-Hong Kong cooperation has good traditions, the Russian minister made a special mention of the opportunities for joint filmmaking, including in the field of animation.
Pointing out that the Hong Kong market welcomes Russian high-quality film products, Secretary Yeung drew attention to the fact that local directors are encouraged to cooperate with foreign partners. There is a market for Russian cinema in Hong Kong, he added.
Representatives of Russian cinematography came to film festivals and showcased Russian films, Yeung said, expressing his hope that Hong Kong films will also be presented in Russia if there is such an opportunity.
Both parties also confirmed their mutual interest in the development of museum exchanges, the press release added.
Cultural ministers and senior officials of 15 Asian countries participated in the Hybrid Ministerial Panel, a highlight of the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum which ended in the city on Wednesday.
China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Hu Heping delivers a speech at the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum 2022 Hybrid Ministerial Panel, Dec 14, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
They exchanged ideas and shared views on boosting cultural cooperation.
"For several millennia, our ancestors lived on this continent. Inspired by everyday work, cultural exchanges, they have built deep and rich civilizations that have taken a special place in world development," Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China Hu Heping said while addressing the audience online.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung delivers a speech at the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum 2022 Hybrid Ministerial Panel, Dec 14, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
The ministerial panel enabled Hong Kong in unleashing its role as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange under the national 14th Five-Year Plan, and making the city a cultural hub connecting the country with the world, the SAR government said in a statement.
"Building on the strong foundation of previous policies for the development of cultural and creative industries, our Chief Executive has unveiled in his first Policy Address a series of new measures to take the development of arts, culture and creative industries to a new height,” Yeung said in his opening speech at the ministerial panel.
Russia’s Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova meets with Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung on the sidelines of the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum 2022 in Hong Kong. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
The key aims are to provide an even better opportunity for training arts and creative talents, for showcasing their creative productions and expand their reaches both locally and outside of Hong Kong, he added. “Ultimately, we hope to create a vibrant and healthy ecology for the arts, culture, and creative sectors to thrive."