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SHA visits Guangzhou and Foshan to promote Cantonese opera development (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and a delegation of representatives from the local Cantonese opera sector today (December 2) called on the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province in Guangzhou. They met with its Director General, Mr Fang Jianhong, to further explore the deepening of exchanges and co-operation between the two places on Cantonese opera in different areas such as inheritance, promotion, preservation, research and development.
      
     Mr Lau pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to the development of Cantonese opera and allocates resources every year to promote the development of the art form. He said he believes that strengthening the connection between the Cantonese opera sectors of Hong Kong and Guangdong could create synergy. He added that the delegation, comprising around 40 representatives who have been promoting Cantonese opera in Hong Kong, should be able to create further co-operation opportunities.
      
     The Artistic Director of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, Mr Law Ka-ying, said that he hoped to invite, through the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province, Cantonese opera talents from Guangdong for joint performances with the Hong Kong Cantonese opera sector. The Executive Director of Performing Arts of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Louis Yu, introduced to the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province the latest progress of the West Kowloon Cultural District development, highlighting that the Xiqu Centre will be able to provide more performance opportunities for the opera troupes of Guangdong. The Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Professor Stephen Chow, suggested that the two sides can co-operate and arrange for students from the Academy's Chinese opera programme to take part in internship and exchange activities at the Cantonese opera training schools in Guangdong.

     Cantonese opera exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong started in 2002 at the first Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Co-operation Meeting, during which Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau decided to start cultural co-operation in Cantonese opera. Initiatives have included organising the annual Cantonese Opera Day, and Cantonese opera became the first world intangible cultural heritage item co-owned by the three places in 2009. The cultural departments of the three places also signed a letter of intent to promote Cantonese opera development together.
      
     Upon arrival in Guangzhou yesterday (December 1), the delegation visited Foshan, where they toured and exchanged views with the persons in charge of the Wanfutai and the Guangdong Dance and Drama College to learn more about the training of Cantonese opera artists and conservation of ancient stages there. The delegation today also visited the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre, the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Troupe and the Cantonese Opera Art Museum, and exchanged views with representatives of the Administration of Culture, Press, Publication, Radio and Television of Guangzhou Municipality.
      
     Mr Lau and the delegation will depart for Hong Kong this afternoon.
 
Ends/Friday, December 2, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:35
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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and a delegation of representatives from the Hong Kong Cantonese opera sector have visited Guangzhou and Foshan. Picture shows Mr Lau (second right) and representatives meeting with the Director General of the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province, Mr Fang Jianhong (second left), today (December 2) in Guangzhou.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and a delegation of representatives from the Hong Kong Cantonese opera sector have visited Guangzhou and Foshan. Picture shows the Director General of the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province, Mr Fang Jianhong (front row, fifth left), leading Mr Lau (front row, sixth left) and representatives to visit the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre today (December 2) in Guangzhou.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and a delegation of representatives from the Hong Kong Cantonese opera sector have visited Guangzhou and Foshan. Picture shows Mr Lau (front row, fifth right) and representatives at the temple of Wanfutai in Foshan on December 1.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and a delegation of representatives from the Hong Kong Cantonese opera sector have visited Guangzhou and Foshan. Picture shows Mr Lau (back row, 12th left) and representatives at the stage of Wanfutai in Foshan on December 1.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and a delegation of representatives from the Hong Kong Cantonese opera sector have visited Guangzhou and Foshan. Picture shows Mr Lau (first right) and representatives attending a seminar while visiting the Guangdong Dance and Drama College on December 1.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and a delegation of representatives from the Hong Kong Cantonese opera sector have visited Guangzhou and Foshan. Picture shows Mr Lau and representatives with students participating in a demonstration performance at the Guangdong Dance and Drama College on December 1.