China News Service, Hong Kong, June 7. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam, met with representatives of Mainland and overseas art galleries at an online seminar on the 7th, introducing them to Hong Kong’s many competitive advantages as an international art and cultural hub, and said that it is currently The best time for international art galleries and world-renowned artists to develop in Hong Kong.
According to the Information Service of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, this online seminar was organized by Art Basel.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor pointed out at the seminar that Hong Kong has always been a hub for East-West international art and cultural exchanges.
In order to promote cultural cooperation, Hong Kong has signed a memorandum of cooperation on cultural cooperation with 20 countries to jointly promote cultural activities.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has also signed a memorandum of cooperation with world-renowned museums to strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation.
Carrie Lam told the participants that the professionalism and enthusiasm of the Hong Kong Museum has been recognized by collectors and artists.
At the same time, Hong Kong has a wealth of private collections, and many collectors are supporters of public museums.
Hong Kong is rapidly developing into a major global art trading center.
Hong Kong’s competitive advantages include low tax rates and a simple tax system, and no tariffs, value-added taxes or inheritance taxes will be levied on artworks; citizens, including artists, enjoy freedom of expression; a sound system for protecting intellectual property rights; and the ability to provide collectors with comprehensive private Wealth management services.
Carrie Lam said that Hong Kong has been investing heavily to upgrade existing cultural hardware and build new facilities.
The M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District, which is expected to open at the end of 2021, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which will open in mid-2022, together with the refurbished and expanded Hong Kong Museum of Art, will become new cultural landmarks next to Victoria Harbour.
Hong Kong enjoys a vibrant art atmosphere, holding many large and popular international art exhibitions every year, including Art Basel Hong Kong Exhibition, Art Central, and the French May Art Festival, attracting many art lovers and the public every year. .
She pointed out that the National People’s Congress adopted the "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China and the Outline of Long-Term Goals for 2035" adopted earlier in 2021, supporting Hong Kong for the first time to develop into a cultural and artistic exchange center between China and foreign countries , To further enhance the relevant status of Hong Kong.
She said that this corresponds to the direction proposed in the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cultural and Tourism Development Plan" announced in December 2020, which mentions supporting Hong Kong's development into a more competitive international cultural exchange platform.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor believes that Hong Kong has outstanding advantages in the development of arts and culture, and the prospects are bright. In addition, the recent commercial property market rents have fallen due to the impact of the epidemic. I believe that now is the best time for international art galleries and world-renowned artists to expand and develop in Hong Kong. . (Finish)