Cultural ministers and senior officials from eight Asian countries joined the Asian Cultural Ministers' Panel Discussion today on how to extend cultural co-operation to promote arts and culture development.
In his opening speech, Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah said that apart from providing the necessary infrastructure to cater for growing demand, it is equally important to mobilise the collective efforts of different sectors in the community to further develop arts and culture.
He added that the Belt & Road initiative will expand connectivity, while Hong Kong's unique advantages can expand friendship and enrich the development of Asian culture and arts along the Belt & Road.
Speaking at a luncheon for the participants today, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said she believed arts and culture exchanges are the basic blocks for building friendship among countries and improving the quality of life.
Minister of Culture Luo Shugang also spoke at today's panel discussion, as well as representatives from Cambodia, India, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.
Mrs Lam and Mr Luo also witnessed the signing of the Implementation Plan on Cultural Exchange & Co-operation between the Mainland & the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2016-2018 between the Ministry of Culture and the Home Affairs Bureau.
