​The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (January 25) met with the Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Ms Weng Tiehui. Both sides introduced the latest cultural and arts developments of the two places, and welcomed exchanges involving arts groups and organisations in the two cities in the future.
      
     Mr Lau said, "Both the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Shanghai Municipal Government support the arts groups and organisations from the two cities to strengthen exchanges. The HKSAR Government will increase provision to arts groups of different sizes and artists to perform and hold exhibitions in the Mainland, and help them to explore more opportunities."
      
     He said Shanghai has maintained its top position in development among Mainland cities, is equipped with first-class arts facilities, and has a profound relationship with Hong Kong. All these factors are beneficial for Hong Kong arts groups to perform and hold exhibitions in Shanghai. The HKSAR Government is preparing to launch Hong Kong Week in major cities in the Mainland, and Shanghai is considered as one of the ideal locations to hold the event for promoting Hong Kong arts and culture.
      
     Mr Lau also visited the Shanghai DreamCenter's exhibition hall in the morning. He then called on the Shanghai International Dance Center and the Shanghai Grand Theatre in the afternoon to explore the opportunities offered by performance venues in Shanghai for Hong Kong arts groups.
      
     Mr Lau will tomorrow (January 26) meet with young people studying in Shanghai to learn more about their studies and daily life. Mr Lau will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon tomorrow after concluding his trip in Shanghai.

Ends/Thursday, January 25, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:00

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