John Lee Celebrates 40 Years of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts at Anniversary Ceremony

Speech by CE at Kick-off Ceremony of 40th Anniversary Celebration of Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (with video)

Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Kick-off Ceremony of the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) today (September 26):

Mr Charles Yang (Council Chairman of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts), Professor Gillian Choa (Director of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts), staff and students of the HKAPA, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to speak to you all, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. First of all, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Academy on its ruby jubilee, a key milestone in the institution's development.

Since its establishment in 1984, the Academy has remained committed to nurturing new generations of performing arts professionals in a diverse, cross-disciplinary learning environment. The Academy has gone from strength to strength in the past four decades, becoming Asia's top performing arts institution. The Academy's international reputation is testament to its holistic approach to performing arts education.

This year heralds the beginning of a new chapter for the Academy, with the launch of its visionary 10-year strategic plan from 2024 to 2033. From talent development and technology-enabled arts practices, to campus development and cultural influence, the exciting plans and new projects will further consolidate the strengths of the Academy.

The Government supports the Academy's efforts in nurturing cultural talent for Hong Kong and the country. We believe that the Academy's potential establishment of a new campus in the Northern Metropolis could provide much-needed space for programme development. Meanwhile, we also support the Academy in bringing in a higher proportion of non-local students to its programmes. These developments, I am certain, could enrich Hong Kong's talent pool in performing arts in light of the industry's evolving needs.

As an international metropolis boasting a fine blend of cultures, Hong Kong enjoys unparalleled connectivity with the Mainland and the rest of the world. I am confident that the Academy will continue to thrive as a performing arts educational hub, nurturing artists and arts practitioners that shape Hong Kong's future as a dynamic East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

I take the opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts and dedication of the Academy's Council, teaching staff, students and alumni. Your passion and hard work are key to the Academy's success. My appreciation also goes to donors, industry partners and everyone who has supported the Academy all along. The Government looks forward to continuing joining hands with you in advancing Hong Kong's cultural development.

On that note, I wish the Academy a wonderful celebratory year ahead and every success in the future. Thank you.

Hong Kong and Guangdong sign work arrangements to take forward cross-boundary individual yacht travel

The Marine Department (MD) today (September 28) signed the "Work Arrangement for Facilitating the Entry and Exit of Guangdong-registered Yachts into Hong Kong Waters" and the "Work Arrangement for Entry and Exit of Hong Kong Yachts into Guangdong" with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration (GDMSA), taking forward the implementation of cross-boundary individual yacht travel between the two places.

A spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "Apart from being the sector that the Government is committed to developing, the yacht economy is also one of the key development projects highlighted in the recently published First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address. With strong support from the Central Government and close co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong, the MD and the GDMSA have been actively discussing and advancing the implementation of the relevant arrangements through the tripartite Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao individual yacht travel working group. The work arrangements signed today establish a mechanism that serves as a foundation, and hence mark a significant milestone for cross-boundary individual yacht travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

"Following the launch of northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong in June this year, which allows Hong Kong yacht owners travelling to the nine Chinese Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to handle cross-border procedures more affordably and conveniently, we will soon launch the southbound travel of yachts from Guangdong, enabling yacht owners in Guangdong Province to enjoy the same level of convenience. This policy will help add impetus to cross-boundary leisure consumption and further promote two-way exchanges and visits between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. We are pressing ahead with the final preparatory work, and will announce shortly the implementation details of southbound travel for yachts from Guangdong."

The MD will continue to maintain close communication with the relevant authorities in Guangdong Province to actively promote the facilitation measures for the northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong and the southbound travel for yachts from Guangdong, with a view to fostering a healthy, sustainable and competitive environment for the development of both local and GBA yacht economies, and at the same time enhancing connectivity and promoting Hong Kong's proactive integration into GBA development.

Hong Kong and Guangdong sign work arrangements to take forward cross-boundary individual yacht travel Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases