Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah, together with 100 delegates of arts and cultural authorities and organisations in Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau, attended the 17th Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Co-operation Meeting today in Macau.
Mr Lau said cultural co-operation among the three places has made good progress, adding that they may also play a crucial role in the Belt & Road initiative.
Under the tripartite cultural co-operation platform, the three places can leverage their advantages in strengthening people-to-people bonds with Belt & Road countries and open up markets together, he added.
The three places have improved co-operation progress in various areas.
On performing arts, a performance of Guangdong nanyin music was successfully staged after last year’s meeting, while a Cantonese opera was held in December to wide acclaim.
Officials from the three places also witnessed the signing of the "Letter of Intent on Youth Drama Festival Co-operation between Guangdong, Hong Kong & Macau" and the "2016-17 Work Plan for the Pearl River Delta Dance Network 'Delta Moves'".
On museums, the three places are planning to organise an international conference to foster research and prepare for exhibitions on the Maritime Silk Road. They also agreed to take turns in organising sharing sessions to explore means for the sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage.
In addition, events are planned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the inscription of Cantonese opera onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019.
The three places will also continue to strengthen exchanges and co-operation on public libraries, intangible cultural heritage, and cultural and creative industries in the coming year.
