Integrating Past and Present, Connecting East and West: Evolution of Hong Kong’s Role as an International Hub for Cultural and Artistic Exchanges
Date：2023-06-10
Katie Chan, Chairwoman of the Art Concept Culture Institute, delivered a speech in Mandarin, English and Cantonese at the third dialogue of the China-Europe-America Museums Cooperation Initiative recently held in Nankai University. She highlighted the significance of Nankai University as the alma mater of Premier Zhou Enlai and its contribution in preserving historical artifacts. She emphasized the importance of Hong Kong as a hub for cultural and artistic exchanges, with its thriving art market and the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District. She also discussed the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s cultural potential. Katie concluded by emphasizing the role of museums in promoting international cultural exchange and contributing to world peace and prosperity.
Katie Chan, Chairwoman of the Art Concept Culture Institute. As a cultural organization established in Hongkong in 2010, Art Concept Culture Institute is committed to public welfare undertakings such as international cultural and artistic exchanges, healthcare, education, and people’s livelihood, seeking to deepen mutual understanding between people, promote friendship between countries, enhance social development and international cooperation, maintain world peace, and bring prosperity and stability to mankind. Ms. Katie Chan is a film and television producer and columnist and is mainly engaged in international public welfare and cultural activities. Since 2000, her business has expanded to Beijing, where she regularly organizes large-scale cultural and artistic events and holds multiple public positions.
Full text of the speech
Hello everyone, my name is Katie Chan. I’m delighted to represent the Art Concept Culture Institute and address today’s event. My first visit to Nankai University was in May 2014. At that time, we were filming a documentary called “In Gratitude to Zhou Enlai: Love for Fragrant Harbor” in commemoration of Premier Zhou Enlai. Premier Zhou had studied at Nankai University, so we specifically came to Nankai to film the places where he used to study, the auditorium where he performed dramas, and the works of poetry he wrote during his youth. Nankai has preserved many of these precious historical artifacts very well. Later, in May 2019, we collaborated with Nankai University to organize a concert commemorating Premier Zhou Enlai, as well as the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement and the establishment of Nankai University. Nankai is a prestigious Chinese university with a long history. Our founding Premier, Zhou Enlai, is an outstanding alumnus of Nankai. He was a great statesman and diplomat, highly respected by people around the world. His refined and humble demeanor is believed to be closely related to his early cultivation of a love for culture and the arts at Nankai. Therefore, today’s event held at Nankai University, which is filled with a strong humanistic atmosphere, is of special significance.
I am aware that this is the third dialogue and I know that many more will follow. I am happy to see that this year, the University of Nankai is deeply involved. Today, I would like to convey one key message. You might know Hong Kong for its tradition of entertainment. “Cantopop” is still influential. Actually, since the early 1970s, the “Cantopop” of Hong Kong has been influencing Chinese people around the world. Many Chinese living abroad and in Guangdong Province in Southern China, particularly those of us who were born and raised in Hong Kong, are familiar with using Cantonese. As a result, I will be delivering my speech in Cantonese.
As we all know, Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading international financial centers, and in recent years, it has also been actively developing itself as a hub for cultural and artistic exchanges between China and the rest of the world. In 2022, the global art market was valued at approximately 68 billion US dollars, and Hong Kong has now become the world’s second-largest art market after New York. After the controlled containment of the pandemic, Hong Kong officially reopened in March this year, and we immediately resumed the successful hosting of Art Basel, consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a global art center. Over the years, internationally renowned auction houses such as Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips have competed in Hong Kong, reflecting the importance of this market.
When it comes to the preservation of culture and the arts, we must mention our West Kowloon Cultural District. Situated by the Victoria Harbor, the West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the world’s largest cultural projects, combining art, education, and public spaces, showcasing Hong Kong’s vital role as a bridge for cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world. Within the district, there are two newly completed museums. One of them is the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which presents precious cultural relics from the Forbidden City with a fresh perspective, unique curatorial techniques, innovative presentation formats, and a global vision that transcends time and space, aiming to inherit and promote traditional Chinese culture.
The other museum, M+, is the first global museum of contemporary visual culture in Asia. Its collection encompasses visual arts, design and architecture, moving images, as well as Hong Kong visual culture from the 20th and 21st centuries. Built upon the historical context of Hong Kong as a fusion of Eastern and Western influences, M+ combines technology, lighting effects, and other visual elements to provide an unforgettable immersive experience of cross-media art.
It is worth mentioning that Hong Kong, operating under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, is an active participant in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. As of 2020, the Greater Bay Area has a total population of over 86 million and a regional GDP exceeding 1.6 trillion US dollars. The Greater Bay Area consists of the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, as well as nine cities in Guangdong Province, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing. Local residents not only speak Cantonese but also inherit the unique cultural characteristics of Lingnan, which is an important part of traditional Chinese culture. I firmly believe that the cultural sector of the Greater Bay Area, combined with Hong Kong’s legal system (based on common law), simple tax regime, and well-established facilities in finance, insurance, logistics, and shipping, will bring surprises to everyone!
Culture and art are the spiritual wealth created by humanity. They record and convey our history, beliefs, thoughts, and values, representing significant achievements of human civilization. Museums bear the responsibility of preserving our cultural heritage, allowing us to understand the past, fostering reflection and enlightenment. At the same time, they inspire gratitude towards our predecessors, urging us to cherish the present and look towards the future.
We greatly appreciate Mr. David Gosset’s establishment of the “China-Europe-America Museums Cooperation Initiative”, which promotes dialogue and cooperation among world civilizations and the sharing of spiritual wealth. The Art Concept Culture Institute has always been dedicated to promoting international cultural exchanges. Museums bring us all together, and we hope to deepen mutual understanding between individuals and enhance friendship between nations through practical cooperation. We aim to safeguard world peace and contribute to the prosperity and stability of humanity. Thank you all very much!
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