Hong Kong is wealthy, but it has never been considered rich in culture and the arts. Now, incoming chief executive Leung Chun-ying has proposed creating a culture bureau. In the latest SCMP debate, we ask five noted members of the cultural community what they think of the idea and whether it will help or hinder Hong Kong's development as a vibrant cultural centre.
Q1 Do you think Hong Kong needs a culture bureau? If yes, explain why; if not, outline your concerns.
Q2 Should the bureau serve as a facilitator in developing Hong Kong as a hub of culture and creative industries, or a policymaker mapping out the direction of arts and culture development in Hong Kong? What other roles should the bureau play?
Q3 Apart from setting up a culture bureau, what measures or initiatives would you recommend to help develop arts and culture in the city?
Oscar Ho Hing-kay
Director of Chinese University of Hong Kong's cultural management programme
A1 No, if the bureau is in fact the 'Propaganda Office for Social and Cultural Harmony', with the political missions of controlling cultural activities and undertaking patriotic or other forms of political propaganda.