LCSD announces mechanism and criteria for recognising bearers of items on Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, receiving applications from January 6 next year
The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that a mechanism and criteria for recognising the bearers of the items on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Hong Kong will be developed to promote the safeguarding and passing on of ICH. Making reference to the national ICH representative bearer recognition and management system, as well as those of Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region, while taking into consideration the needs of ICH inheritance in Hong Kong, the ICH Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has developed the mechanism and criteria for recognising the bearers of the items on the Representative List. Applications will be welcome from January 6 to March 2, 2026. The first batch of bearers is expected to be announced in 2026.
There are currently 24 items on the Representative List (see Annex). Bearers' responsibilities include launching programmes for the passing on of the items, nurturing successors, properly preserving relevant physical objects and information, conducting research, and participating in promotional or educational activities. Applicants must be permanent residents of Hong Kong. The application requirements and assessment criteria are as follows:
(1) Application requirements
An applicant is required to submit the following information:
The applicant's line of inheritance or mentorship background, as well as learning and practical experience;
The applicant's knowledge, core techniques, and achievements related to an item on the Representative List, as well as relevant supporting documents and evidence;
Information on the applicant's activities in inheritance and promotion;
Relevant physical objects and materials in the applicant's possession (if applicable); and
Other reference information relevant to the assessment of the application.
(2) Assessment criteria
Mastery of techniques, with a deep knowledge and thorough grasp of the core techniques of the item on the Representative List, and more than 20 years of inheritance and practical experience in Hong Kong;
Being representative in the field of the item on the Representative List, with relatively considerable influence and wide recognition in the region;
Having a crucial role in passing on the item on the Representative List, actively engaging in inheritance activities, nurturing successors, and ready to promote the passing on of the item to the public; and
Being patriotic, dedicated and law-abiding, and demonstrating excellence in both moral integrity and practice of the item on the Representative List.
The ICH Office will accept applications from noon on January 6, 2026, to noon on March 2, 2026. Application forms can be downloaded from the ICH Office's website from January 6, 2026. Applicants are required to submit the completed application forms together with the supporting documents in person to the Hong Kong ICH Centre (Sam Tung Uk Museum, 2 Kwu Uk Lane, Tsuen Wan, New Territories). The ICH Office will provide a briefing session on the recognition mechanism and criteria for interested applicants at 3pm on January 12, 2026, at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Museum of History (G/F, 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). Registration is required. Details are available on the website of the ICH Office at www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/the_representative_list_of_hkich.html.
Source: AI-found images
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Director General of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (Qianhai Authority), Mr Wang Shourui, leading representatives of relevant bureaux and departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the delegation of the Shenzhen Municipal Government respectively, held the second meeting of the Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone in Shenzhen today (December 18).
At the meeting, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides reviewed the achievements of the development of Qianhai and explored future co-operation directions, discussing further promotion of Qianhai's high quality development together. Both sides exchanged views on issues such as deepening the integrated development of technology and finance, joint talent attraction, and the alignment of rules in the field of engineering construction.
Mr Tsang said, "The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a key national strategy personally devised, personally planned and personally driven by President Xi Jinping, and Qianhai is one of the major co-operation platforms in the GBA. Since its development, Qianhai has always adhered to the strategic positioning and objectives of 'relying on Hong Kong, serving the Chinese Mainland and opening up to the world', striving to become an important engine for the development of the GBA and the Shenzhen pilot demonstration area. It shall fully leverage its role in demonstrating and leading high-level, high-quality opening-up within the region, while ensuring successful policy experiences radiate throughout the GBA and across the nation. With the staunch support of the Central Government and the joint efforts of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone has achieved fruitful results, including deepened alignment of rules and mechanisms among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, significant advancement of market integration, matured collaborative development model, closer youth exchanges, and its role as a new engine for GBA development has become increasingly bold and evident."
"As stated by President Xi during the Chief Executive's reporting of work, the HKSAR Government shall proactively align with the '15th Five-Year' Plan, uphold and enhance the executive-led system, make solid progress in advancing high-quality economic development, deeply engage in the development of the GBA, and better integrate into and serve the overall national development. The HKSAR Government will continue to lead all sectors of the Hong Kong community proactively to fully seize the opportunities of developing the GBA together. With a pragmatic, innovative and change-embracing spirit, the HKSAR Government will ensure the effective implementation of various tasks and continue to strengthen the co-operation with Shenzhen to jointly promote the development of Qianhai. It will serve the country's needs with Hong Kong's strengths, and anchor the new strategic positioning and historic mission of the GBA given by President Xi to a greater breadth and depth."
Mr Wang responded, "Relying on Hong Kong and serving Hong Kong is the inherent responsibility and mission of Qianhai. With the support and assistance of the HKSAR Government and all sectors of the Hong Kong community, we have implemented comprehensive and systematic measures. Tangible and practical measures have been introduced in areas such as the integration of rules and mechanisms, the interconnectivity of infrastructure, and the convergence of people's livelihoods. We have achieved new progress in developing the area in line with its positioning as a 'pioneering zone for deepening integration and development between Shenzhen and Hong Kong'. Moving forward, Qianhai will thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, deepen the 'soft connectivity' of rules and mechanisms, the 'hard connectivity' of infrastructure, and the 'heartfelt connectivity' between Shenzhen and Hong Kong residents. This will foster closer co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and serve Hong Kong's high-quality development."
At the meeting, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides signed four co-operation arrangements, including:
A co-operation framework agreement signed by the Qianhai Authority and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES)
A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Qianhai Authority and Radio Television Hong Kong
The Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation for Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Technology Transfer Centre and Building Hong Kong into a Regional Intellectual Property Trading Centre signed by the Qianhai Authority, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and CR Corporate Service Limited
A co-operation agreement signed by the Qianhai Authority and the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Both sides also witnessed the inauguration ceremony of two projects, namely "SZ-HK Nexus" Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Dual Headquarters Hub and HK SME Empower Centre.
After the meeting, the delegation of the HKSAR Government visited the Qianhai Co-operation Zone, and was briefed by the Qianhai Authority on the latest developments of Qianhai at Qianhai Exhibition Hall. The delegation then conducted on-site visits to "SZ-HK Nexus" Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Dual Headquarters Hub, Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub Phase II,Qianhai Hong Kong Charm and the Bay Area Store of Shenzhen Book City "Eyes of the GBA". They also visited the Vinyl Pop Up exhibition organised by RTHK at the Book City.
Officials of the HKSAR Government attending the meeting also included the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam; the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan; the Director-General of the OASES, Mr Peter Yan; the Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan; the Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage, Mr Felix Chan and the Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Keith Giang.
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
