To promote the development of culture and arts between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta area, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council hosted 'Summit on Arts and Cultural Policy' at the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong on 8 and 9 June. Cultural officials from the Guangdong province, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong were invited to the summit and discussed themes relating to culture enterprises, prospects of arts and cultural collaboration within the Pearl River Delta area, arts education, culture and information exchange.

Mr Lam Woon-kwong, Secretary for Home Affairs, Professor Chang Hsin-kang, Chairman of Culture and Heritage Commission and Mr Leung Sai-wah, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Department delivered their welcoming address at the opening ceremony. Also in attendance were Mr Yu Qi-keng, Deputy Director General of Guangdong Provincial Department of Cultural, Ms Zhou Su-qin, Director of Guang Zhou Bureau of Culture, Mr Wang Jing-sheng, Director of Shenzhen Bureau of Culture, Mr Liang Xu, Deputy Director of Zhuhai Bureau of Culture, Ms Heidi Ho, President of Cultural Institute of the Government of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Mr Arthur Ng, Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs and Ms Choi Suk-keun, Deputy Director (Culture) of Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Representatives from ADC included Dr Patrick Ho, Chairman, Mr Darwin Chen, Vice-chairman and Council members Mr Yu Shu-tak, Mr Cheung Ping-kuen, Mr Ng Kau, Mr Hardy Tsoi and Mr Danny Yung. Additionally, Mr Ma Fung-kwok and Dr Sun Tai-lun, members of Culture and Heritage Commission were also present.

Sharing of Arts and Cultural Facilities and Network Information

During the two-day conference, the officials from different areas discussed issues related to mutual information exchange, exchange between troupes, popular arts education and resources sharing on arts education. Mr Yu Qi-keng pointed out that, apart from the two well-equipped grand theatres in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, two more grand theatres estimated to cost several hundred millions of Renminbi, will be constructed in the Pearl River Delta in the near future. He believed the establishment of high quality venues and facilities will enhance the development of culture and arts in the Pearl River Delta Area.

Ms Zhou Su-qin expressed strong support for increased exchange of cultural information among different areas. She proposed information exchange through the internet as well as closer contact between the arts institutes in both Guangzhou and Hong Kong as the initial steps.

Regular Conference to Enhance Exchange

All delegates recognized the contribution of the summit in helping to enhance communication and understanding among different areas, and agreed to make this an annual event for discussion on issues of common concern in the hope of strengthening co-operation within the Pearl River Delta area. Mr Liang Xu proposed increased communication at practical work level among different areas. Mr Wang Jing-sheng recommended that Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong should take turns in hosting the summit annually, and thus attain a deeper understanding of local arts and cultural development. Full support was given to Ms Heidi Ho who suggested the establishment of working groups by all parties to follow-up on the issues raised during the summit.

In concluding the conference, Dr Patrick Ho expressed the hope and need to maintain close communication and cooperation between the cultural departments of different areas, in order to foster a better environment for the development of culture and arts within the region.