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Opinion
The best of Hong Kong as a cultural hub is yet to come
Here are three ways the city can build on the recent momentum of art and cultural events to achieve something more enduring
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Huang Qingchen has a Master of Law in International Relations from Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Over the past few weeks, Hong Kong has offered a vivid demonstration of what it means to be a cultural hub. The city has transformed into a stage glittering with events that draws visitors from all across the world.
The second Hong Kong International Cultural Summit, held on March 22-23, kicked off the season, attracting more than 1,000 thought leaders and members of the global art community for in-depth dialogue. Then Art Basel Hong Kong began, bringing together 240 galleries from 41 countries and regions. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui announced that Hong Kong will be the only city in Asia hosting the art fair for five more years.
In April, the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival screened more than 200 films from 71 countries, including 11 world premieres. The ongoing French May Arts Festival and the launch of Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 this month are expected to create even greater buzz.
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No doubt Hong Kong’s cultural assets are extraordinary. On the one hand, the city boasts world-class venues and infrastructure. The West Kowloon Cultural District continues to mature, with the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ winning acclaim worldwide. Kai Tak Stadium, which opened in March last year, was already ranked third globally in ticket sales by year’s end. In its first year alone, the stadium attracted 1.9 million attendees.
On the other hand, Hong Kong offers a unique environment of openness where Chinese culture and Western culture actively converge. The city hosts a remarkable array of mega-events and cultural activities, from the Chinese Culture Festival to Art Basel, demonstrating a level of cultural inclusiveness that few other Asian cities can match.
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Moreover, it is one of the biggest art auction markets in the world, with transaction values remaining at the global forefront.
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