For a very long period of history, Asia was the world's center of creativity. However, our Western counterparts overtook us 500 years ago with the Renaissance. The world's center of creativity has shifted westward since then.

In the 21st century, creativity is not anymore the monopoly of the Western world. While, in the past, the abundant resources of creativity in Asian culture escaped our attention, the core values of Asia - harmony, co-existence, discipline and respect for collectivity - have gradually and subtly given birth to a different sort of creativity, which I call the "oriental creativity" or the "Asian creativity".

Creativity mattered in the past, and matters even more at present and for the future. In the wake of globalization and a knowledge-based economy, creativity, together with culture, is increasingly seen as an engine for growth and civic pride. This calls for new development strategies. We must put the weight of our efforts on innovation in technology, creativity in cultural content and in management. To begin with, we need a cluster of strong and vibrant creative industries to propel us to a new stage of economic development.

It is against this backdrop that the recent rise of creative industries gives us extra impetus to maintain our regional distinctions. Creative industries are widely regarded as the driving force of economic growth in the coming decades. More and more economies around the world, in particular the advanced ones, are focusing on creative industries.

Unlike traditional industries, creative products are driven by desire, and not by physical need. They are the things we want, not necessarily the things we need. And "desire" can be cultivated, deeply rooted in the culture of the particular society, value-dependent and can be influenced through the media and marketing strategy. The unique features of creative industries provide a rare opportunity for the developing economies to compete on equal grounds - i.e., culture and creativity - with the developed economies.

In the 21st century, cities have become dominant players in cultural development. Except for those with substantial populations and large geographical areas, a single city alone is seldom sufficient to compete on its own. Alliances are important. A cluster of cities with similar strengths in economic and cultural terms is the answer to the challenge. Such an alliances will provide the necessary critical mass to attract talents and nurture them, as well as to create a market that is large enough to achieve economy of scale and encourage diversity in products and services.

In the past, alliances of cities usually centered on economic co-operation, but this proves too narrow an approach in a globalized world where culture plays an increasingly pivotal role. We need cultural co-operation to foster a closer and more vibrant city alliance, one that provides ample room for mutual appreciation, improvement and cross-fertilization.

In response to the challenges of the new age, Asia must form a cultural alliance based on our common heritage and good will for regional harmony and prosperity. Only in this way can Asia present itself strongly to the rest of the world. Just as there are economies of scale in industrial production, there is also economy of scale in cultural cooperation.

I dream of a creative Asia, an Asia with ideas and values to inspire humanity. I am sure the rediscovery of creativity in Asia signifies the awakening of modern humanity and eventually will lead to another Renaissance in a new era.

The author is former secretary for home affairs of the Hong Kong SAR government

(HK Edition 10/14/2009 page1)