Opinion | Hong Kong must fall in love with art to be a bona fide cultural hub

The arrival of Art Basel and several respected international art galleries reinforced our position as an art market leader. With its infrastructure and amenities, Hong Kong conveniently serves the growing Chinese collector base while attracting and catering to other Asian collectors.

The acclaimed West Kowloon Cultural District, which includes the M+ museum of visual culture, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Xiqu Centre, is one of the world’s largest cultural infrastructure projects and a significant addition to Hong Kong’s cultural infrastructure. It blends local and international cultures, connects traditional and contemporary elements, and showcases Hong Kong’s unique identity as a metropolis defined by the dynamic interplay of Eastern and Western cultural influences.

The government is committed to transforming Hong Kong into a global arts and cultural hub. This aligns with the central government’s policy directives and is critical to our international appeal and distinct purpose within “one country, two systems”. Dedicated funding, strategic planning and targeted initiatives have been implemented to support this vision.

Our corporations view sponsorship of the arts and culture as a way to raise their brand profile, engage affluent consumers and shape Hong Kong’s reputation as a creative hub. A prime example is Swire Group’s recent pledge of over HK$50 million (US$8.66 million) to the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra over the next three years. Securing this type of corporate support remains crucial for developing Hong Kong’s arts and cultural ecosystem.