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More than anything, Hong Kong has been seen globally as a success story made possible by an industrious and enterprising population willing and able to meet the challenges thrown at it by an increasing competitive world.
On our journey to becoming the financial metropolis we are today, Hong Kong also unloaded its old image as a cultural desert. It was fashionable once to say our city lacked the finer things in life, but we hear little of that today.
In fact, the current concern is not that we are lacking in the arts and culture but how best we can use our creativity, assets, and resources to position Hong Kong alongside the cultural capitals of the world.
In any knowledge-based economy, public spending in culture and the arts is regarded as an investment, which is as important as investment in new technology or in education. Investment in culture and the arts is an investment in diversity of expressions, creativity, community development and social harmony, the very core values of a community that should not and could not be evaluated in terms of financial returns.
Biggest investment
The West Kowloon Cultural District will be this community's biggest investment in the arts and culture. The objective is to develop a world-class integrated arts and cultural district comprising local, traditional as well as international elements, to enrich the arts and cultural life for the people in Hong Kong and neighbouring areas, to create job opportunities and benefit the tourism industry.
Our aim must be that when it is completed, not only will it further elevate our status as a modern and international city, it will also showcase Hong Kong's dedication to the arts and culture.
Public support was solidly behind the idea of a cultural district on the West Kowloon waterfront when the Government first launched the initiative a few years ago. The only concerns were the high-density nature of the project, and the single development approach. The public also preferred a non-profit making statutory body to develop and manage the cultural district. We have listened, and we intend to proceed in a way that meets with the public's support.
Hong Kong's vision
The WKCD not only highlights the Government's commitment to a long-term investment in the arts and culture, it also reflects our recognition that to thrive in a globalised world, a city can no longer just rely on finance and commerce alone. Culture and the arts must also be foundation stones. Only then can there be well-rounded success.
By developing the WKCD we, as a community, are investing in a vision of a Hong Kong that is creative, innovative, diverse and harmonious.
Forty hectares of land on the West Kowloon waterfront now await the realisation of our vision. Just imagine 23 hectares of that - more than half the site - being turned into a spacious, culturally lively and easily-accessible harbour-front where you can stroll, sit, or simply marvel at our splendid skyline.
On what is now empty land will rise landmark buildings and more than ten world-class arts and cultural facilities. This cultural hub will become a magnet that attracts the world's best artists staging the best local, traditional and international programmes. It will also rejuvenise the neighbouring older districts.
Added value
Investing in such a vision is as important to our future as investing in areas like education and cutting-edge technology. No one can live on bread alone. In a knowledge-based economy, economic growth requires more than just labour and financial investment. It entails enhancement in added value and productivity, which come mainly from innovative technology, management and business ideas, and creative industries.
There is ample research which shows that arts and culture stimulate independent thinking, creativity and self-confidence. A city with a vibrant arts and cultural life is also conducive to attracting creative talents to stay and develop there.
Many major cities around the world have invested heavily in arts and cultural facilities in recent years; so have our neighbours in the Pearl River Delta, as well as Shanghai. They recognise the many benefits that can be reaped from this. We cannot afford to sit tight.
Having heeded the public's views, it is important that we proceed with the WKCD in a prudent and transparent manner.
Integrated district
The Government subscribes to the belief that Hong Kong should have an integrated cultural district that is financially self-sufficient. We propose to make an upfront endowment of around $20 billion, which is roughly equivalent to the estimated land sales income from the site, to ensure the financial independence of the WKCD.
The rental income from retail, food and beverages, and entertainment facilities will be used to subsidise the operational costs of the cultural and arts facilities, as well as other related facilities.
Aside from promoting the cultural health of Hong Kong, the WKCD will inject an extra shot in the arm of our thriving economy.
Economic benefits
An economic impact assessment report has concluded that it will:
* bring a cumulative amount of $71 billion in value added (in present dollar terms) to Hong Kong's economy over a total of 46 years;
* create about 10,000 job vacancies and attract 2.4 million tourists annually once the facilities in the first phase start operating by around 2015;
* create 21,540 job vacancies and attract over 4.5 million tourists with an estimated additional spending of more than $3.7 billion annually after 30 years; and,
* create 11,020 construction-related job vacancies if projects of commercial and residential buildings are taken into account, bringing a total of $15.7 billion in value added (present dollar terms) to the economy during the construction stage.
The WKCD's Consultative Committee had, over a period of 15 months, gathered and consolidated the views of local arts and cultural bodies which have been taken into account in drawing up the recommendations in a report. The recommendations respond positively to public concerns about how to take forward the WKCD project.
Views sought
We have just launched a three-month public engagement consultative process. Through various forums and channels, we are committed to facilitating the public's understanding of the report and attach great importance to the views gathered in this exercise.
If the Consultative Committee's recommendations are met with broad public support, the Government will proceed without delay to implement the project through the establishment of a West Kowloon Cultural District Authority - a statutory independent organization which would facilitate community involvement in the overall planning and implementation of the WKCD.
We will also join hands with the arts community and adopt timely, appropriate measures to better support arts groups, artists, and arts-related education, training and exchanges.
We strongly believe that through collective wisdom and public engagement, the WKCD will deliver our vision of enriching Hong Kong's arts and culture, enhancing our quality of life, and creating a community of diversity and harmony.
Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang's article was published in newspapers today.
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