To realise Hong Kong’s cultural potential, a global vision is essential

The power of arts and culture should not be underestimated. They educate, inform, inspire and bring joy. They open doors to discovery, unite communities and break down barriers between cultures and people. In a broader context, the arts help to define our cities, offering a point of focus for the community and an opportunity to develop a clear cultural identity.Hong Kong has been successful in defining itself as a financial centre, but culture can play as big a role as capital in determining the city’s global relevance in the years to come. The world’s great cities are increasingly measured by the depth of their cultural offerings, their ability to connect communities and an openness to global collaborations. The arts are not just an expensive sideshow – they can be just as crucial to a city’s development as roads, bridges and airports.For cities dealing with questions about identity and long-term competitiveness, culture can be a powerful strategic lever that simultaneously strengthens local cohesion and elevates international standing. In this context, Hong Kong cannot afford to fall behind when regional counterparts are investing in arts and culture.Hong Kong has been taking confident strides forward. Having already developed a reputation as an art trading centre, the city is now making its mark as an arts and cultural hub, led by the continued development of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK).WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural districts in the world, with its own distinctive and uniquely blended cultural identity. Home to a collection of world-class cultural venues, including M+, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Xiqu Centre, the district is redefining what it means to be both globally connected and at the same time deeply rooted in the local community.Forging global partnerships has been a cornerstone of WestK’s vision since the beginning. Its mission of “reaching the global, engaging the local” captures its commitment to international cultural exchange to strengthen Hong Kong’s presence on the global cultural stage, and its determination to expand local appreciation and participation in the arts.Visitors queue as the M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District prepares to open its doors on March 9. To celebrate Art March Hong Kong, M+ is offering free admission to its general admission exhibitions. Photo: May Tse