Government and Policy

Chief secretary pledges to turn HK into Asia's cultural hub

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-12 15:38

NEW YORK: Hong Kong was striving to transform itself into the cultural hub of Asia, said Henry Tang, the region's chief secretary for administration, here on Monday.

The Hong Kong government had started a West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) project to turn the spectacular Victoria Harbor into Asia's West End with a Broadway skyline, said Tang, who is touring New York City.

The Hong Kong government had poured an initial $2.8 billion into the project, the first phase of which is scheduled to open in 2014 or 2015, Tang said, adding the WKCD project would further enhance the region's cultural standing.

According to Tang, the 40-hectare WKCD site along Victoria Harbor will be home to no less than 15 art facilities, including concert halls, theaters, a contemporary art museum and a mega performance venue.

The WKCD had great potential, Tang said, citing the region's 7 million residents, 30 million visitors and proximity to the thriving Pearl River Delta region, which has a population of more than 50 million.

"Fewer restrictions for cross-boundary travel and new transport infrastructure are making it easier for everyone to get around," he said.

The Hong Kong government was about to build an express rail link the mainland's high-speed rail network, with a terminus in West Kowloon, Tang said. It would shorten travel time to Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, to only 48 minutes.

He said, in recent years, Hong Kong had invested some $4 billion in tourism projects such as Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong Wetland Park and Asia's longest bi-cable car ropeway.

During his visit, Tang attended a reception, toured New York's famed Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art, and met with the city's government officials and business representatives.