Many Hong Kong residents instinctively associate the word “international” with English-speaking countries led by the United States under the Five Eyes alliance, possibly including a handful of European and Asian countries like Japan — altogether fewer than 10 nations.
However, there are over 190 countries worldwide, and Hong Kong’s perspective should extend beyond this small handful of nations.
In terms of cultural exchange, Hong Kong can play a vital role in fostering mutual understanding, deepening international cooperation, and connecting hearts globally.
For instance, the city’s newly inaugurated Kai Tak Sports Park, built with a hefty investment of HK$31.9 billion ($4.1 billion), has tremendous potential for this purpose.
Aside from the Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong boasts many well-developed performance venues that can enable cultural exchanges, linking China more closely with the rest of the world.
Hong Kong must go beyond Western countries and widen its scope of cooperation and exchanges across the globe to foster an authentic international-city atmosphere.
For example, Russian ballet is globally acclaimed, and Korean pop culture enjoys immense popularity, with Korean celebrities capturing the hearts of countless young fans.
Similarly, Hong Kong can leverage the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage to promote the country’s soft power, enhance international connectivity, and tell the true stories of both the nation and the SAR to the world.
Take, for instance, the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble founded by Leonie Ki, who also serves the chair of its board.
This ensemble recently toured London and Paris and earned widespread acclaim from local audiences by showcasing China’s enchanting Dunhuang culture and remarkable musical artistry. In late 2019, the ensemble was invited to participate in the Fourth Maritime Silk Road International Arts Festival’s “Belt and Road” Art Week program.
Its Nov 30 performance at the Quanzhou Grand Theatre, themed “Dunhuang: Echoes of the Silk Road” captivated local audiences in Quanzhou, earning heartfelt praise from the public across various sectors.
Beyond cultural and artistic initiatives, Hong Kong can contribute to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative through charitable medical projects.
One notable example is the Hong Kong-based GX Foundation, founded and chaired by Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
From 2022 to 2027, the foundation plans to provide 37,500 free cataract-removal surgeries for citizens of countries including Laos, Cambodia, Djibouti, Senegal, and Mauritania, helping these individuals regain their sight.
In 2024, the foundation successfully launched a dengue fever prevention pilot program in Timor-Leste, which yielded strong results. An article detailing the project’s impact, co-authored by the foundation’s team, was even published in the esteemed international medical journal, The Lancet.
Other than hosting initiatives locally (bringing people in) and conducting performances or offering charitable medical programs abroad (taking initiatives outward), Hong Kong can leverage existing facilities effectively — one of them being the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC), which resides in Central at the site of the former Dairy Farm depot on Lower Albert Road, paying a monthly rent of HK$600,000 to the SAR government.
While the rent paid by the FCC is below market rates for comparable locations, it far exceeds the rental fees paid by other clubs occupying public land, such as the contentious Fanling golf course.
Notably, the FCC also includes diplomatic members, with representatives from numerous Western consulates participating in the club. This venue serves as an invaluable platform for telling the story of China and the Hong Kong SAR.
It’s no wonder why Huang Jingrui from the news and public relations division of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR attended an FCC luncheon in late September 2024, delivering a keynote speech and answering questions.
In conclusion, throughout China’s different historical stages, Hong Kong has consistently played the role of bridging domestic and international interests.
Premier Li Qiang explicitly emphasized “supporting” Hong Kong in “deepening international cooperation and exchanges” in this year’s Government Work Report.
The SAR government should seize the opportunity, working hand-in-hand with Hong Kong society to leverage existing facilities, networks, and channels to tell the true stories of China and the Hong Kong SAR.
The author is a former information coordinator of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
