Updated at 5.17pm: A new ?Silk Road? is being set up between Hong Kong and the United States to promote creative ideas, products and talents, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs in the US, Jacqueline Willis said overnight (HK time). ?We have already seen many rewarding explorations in regional cultural co-operation along this modern Silk Road,? she said. The Silk Road is a reference to the old trading route separating China from Europe and Western Asia. Before the discovery of the sea route to India, the Silk Road was the most important connection between the East and West. It experienced its last great era during the height of Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Ms Willis was speaking to over 300 people in New York at a reception co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. ?We have seen the fruits of such co-operation with the signing of memoranda of understanding on cultural co-operation with the governments of Singapore, the Philippines, Korea, Egypt, the Netherlands, Hungary and Croatia in recent years? she added. Ms Willis said Hong Kong had spared no effort in supporting arts and cultural developments, partly through the provision of financial support, education and publicity. ?To enhance Hong Kong?s position as a world city of culture, we have made a bold and visionary move to develop a prime 40-hectare site at the West Kowloon waterfront into a world-class integrated arts, cultural and entertainment district where local and international arts communities will meet,? she said. She said Hong Kong now had a lot to offer in terms of culture and the arts. ?Hong Kong is home to more than 10 professional performing groups. The government itself manages 15 cultural venues of varying sizes and is a major presenter of the performing arts to ensure that Hong Kong people have access to a rich cultural life. ?The government also manages more than 25 museums, each recording various facets of Hong Kong?s history. A variety of arts festivals were hosted annually, including the Hong Kong Arts festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival, the International Arts Festival and so on,? she said.