Culture, sports, tourism sectors welcome new Policy Address

Editor's note: Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivered her fifth Policy Address on Wednesday. How do the people in Hong Kong respond to the new initiatives she has outlined? Here are some answers China Daily has gathered.

Kenneth Fok Kai-kong

Vice-president, Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong

I am pleased to see the proposals in the Policy Address on government restructure, including setting up of a culture, sports and tourism bureau to consolidate the culture portfolio and the creative industries and tourism portfolio. I hope that the bureau can be established as soon as possible.

I also expect that the government will comprehensively study and formulate the city's future cultural and sports policies and take the role as a "facilitator" and "promoter" to provide the required resources, introduce practical measures, and attract funds to support the industrialization of cultural and sports sectors.

Gary Wong Chi-him

Board member, Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies

The newly-unveiled government plan to set up a bureau comprising culture, sports and tourism will help the city to consolidate its resources in the three areas and promote the development of relevant industries. This will give new impetus to the city's economy and enrich its economic structures, which could create more opportunities for our young people.

In addition, convergence of art and technology is one of the directions that the government will work on. I believe in the future, Hong Kong will have more opportunities to work with some mainland cities, such as Beijing and Shenzhen, in this area.

Wendy Lai

Vice-president, Global Sources Exhibitions

I fully welcome the measures outlined in this year's Policy Address to support the convention and exhibition industry, including extending the Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme till the end of next year, which commits over $1 billion to give impetus to the industry, and expanding convention and exhibition facilities. I look forward to the release of further details which, I think, will be a much-needed shot in the arm for the industry and workers suffering great difficulties because of the pandemic.