Budget Speech

Cultural and Creative Industries

117. I will inject an additional $1 billion into the CreateSmart Initiative in 2021-22 to continuously drive the development of the creative industries.

118. The Government has continued to allocate more resources to the development of arts and culture in recent years.  In 2021-22, the total expenditure will exceed $5.7 billion.   The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is a new landmark and attraction in Hong Kong.  With the opening of M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in WKCD in this and next year respectively, and the expected completion of the Lyric Theatre Complex in 2024, diversified development opportunities will be brought to the local arts and cultural sector.

119. We plan to seek funding approval in the current legislative session for taking forward the renovation of Tsuen Wan Public Library, the facility upgrading of Tai Po Civic Centre as well as the renovation and improvement of Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre.  The above works cost a total of about $900 million, creating a total of some 210 employment opportunities.

120. The Government provided multiple rounds of assistance amounting to over $200 million to the arts and culture sector under the AEF, benefitting over 930 arts groups and over 6 800 arts practitioners.  As many arts and culture activities were not able to stage, the industry has made use of technology to perform through various means, promoting the integration of arts and I&T as a new trend of development.  The Home Affairs Bureau has established an inter-bureau task force with $100 million reserved to promote the integration of arts and technology, and support arts groups and I&T savvy.