Latest news with #WestKowloonCulturalDistrict
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Style Edit: Rolex partners with Hong Kong's WestK cultural district, starting with a new season of the Tea House Theatre Experience curated by Cantonese opera legend Law Ka-ying
For over half a century, Rolex has backed the world's finest creatives – from opera singers and filmmakers to architects and dancers – through its Perpetual Arts Initiative . It's not just about spotlighting individual talent, but also championing the arts as a vital, living force. Now, the Swiss watchmaker is bringing that mission to Hong Kong, becoming the exclusive timepiece for West Kowloon Performing Arts (WestK) – one of Asia's most ambitious cultural playgrounds. Xiqu Centre, one of WestK's showpiece venues. Photo: Handout This partnership isn't your average logo-on-the-brochure moment. It's an alignment of values: Rolex brings decades of experience supporting artistic mastery and mentorship, while WestK offers a multidisciplinary platform that spans everything from experimental theatre to xiqu, traditional Chinese opera. Together, they're building something that goes beyond cultural preservation to draw fresh eyes and future voices into the fold. Advertisement Dignitaries from WestK and Rolex flanked by performers at the partnership's launch ceremony. Photo: Handout 'We are honoured to collaborate with Rolex, a recognised symbol of excellence,' said Jat Sew-tong, chairman of the Performing Arts Committee at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. 'This partnership will help WestK realise its mission to establish Hong Kong as a global hub for cultural exchange and creative innovation. Together with Rolex, I am confident that we will elevate the city's performing arts scene and create significant and enduring cultural impact.' Chairman of the Performing Arts Committee at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Jat Sew-tong. Photo: Handout The first act? A new season of WestK's 'Tea House Theatre Experience', launching this July. Curated by Cantonese opera legend Law Ka-ying and performed by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, the programme invites audiences to take a cultural deep-dive complete with tea and dim sum – a nod to classic teahouse culture. The season's highlights include two popular excerpts by famed librettist Tong Tik-sang: 'Reunion at the Nunnery' from the classic Cantonese opera Princess Cheung Ping and 'Reunion of Sword and Hairpin' from The Legend of the Purple Hairpin. There's also the martial arts piece Fan Lihua Battles Wang Yinglong, which introduces newcomers to the dramatic flair of Cantonese opera, the local form of xiqu.
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Don't let perceptions of collusion derail Hong Kong's large-scale projects
Hong Kong prides itself on transparency, caution and adherence to the rule of law. Policy proposals undergo scrutiny and seek to strike a balance between legal, social and public interests. However, in an era of increased public scrutiny, the optics of governance often overshadow its true purpose or public benefit. This is frequently the case in large-scale projects, where perceptions of favouritism or collusion undermine public trust even when there are genuine efforts towards progress. The Cyberport project was a case in point. The government's decision to allocate the project without a tender process sparked allegations of favouritism, while reserving a significant part of the site for residential development intensified concerns. Since then, it has collaborated with global entities such as Amazon Web Services and initiated various programmes supporting artificial intelligence, Web3 and fintech development. Its financing models and infrastructure have attracted international partners, generating significant capital and strengthening its role in Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem, despite ongoing debates over its focus. Similarly, the West Kowloon Cultural District reflects the challenges of balancing public perception with practical funding needs. It was established as a global centre for arts and culture, featuring world-class facilities, public spaces and commercial developments. The initial proposal for a single-developer model received criticism, and the architect's design plan for a large canopy became a source of public dissatisfaction. The model was later modified, and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority was appointed to provide independent oversight.
South China Morning Post
31-05-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
High spirits as Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival kicks off amid strong winds
Hong Kong dragon boat racers are in high spirits for Tuen Ng Festival, despite strong winds, with tourism authorities expecting a 14 per cent increase in mainland Chinese visitors compared with previous weekends. A tourism spot, where the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship is taking place, was packed with racing teams and residents on Saturday morning. 'The weather today is a little windy, which may affect our performance,' said Alan Chan, team captain of the West Kowloon Cultural District's Dragon Boat team. 'Given the wind, there could be big waves when we go out to the sea later, which would affect our results. The waves were not that big when we practised. We will do our best.' The team, joining the competition at Stanley Main Beach for the first time, said they had completed seven two-hour lessons to prepare for the event. While some may view the weather as an obstacle, others believe it can give them a boost.
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong arts hub records 19% visitor surge, welcoming 15 million in 2024
Hong Kong's premier arts hub welcomed over 15 million visitors last year, marking a 19 per cent increase from the previous year's estimate, with local events and international collaborations planned to further boost visitor numbers. Advertisement The West Kowloon Cultural District also announced on Thursday that it had already seen at least 400,000 visitors since the beginning of April, thanks to activities during long weekends such as Easter and mainland China's 'golden week' holiday in early May The series of events at the arts hub is part of an initiative to attract more visitors and revenue as it continues to find ways to ease its financial strain and reduce its operating deficit, with measures including the sale of 1,995 residential flats on site. 'Summing up 2024, over 1,300 events took place at the cultural district including exhibitions and performances, among which 500 were private events from venue rentals, attracting over 15 million visitors,' said Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee, CEO of the arts hub. The managing authority commissioned an impact study and found a conservative estimate of 12.6 million visitors had visited the cultural district in 2023 which was likely lower than the actual number, according to a spokesperson. Advertisement They added that the methodology of counting visitor numbers had changed in the past year to rely more heavily on a new system with sensors across the district put in place for 'more accurate' figures. In March and April alone this year, the cultural district saw 3.8 million visitors to its various offerings such as the 'Picasso for Asia: A Conversation' exhibition, the announcement of the Hong Kong China Rugby Sevens Team, and the WestK FunFest.
South China Morning Post
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong cultural hub to stage inaugural arts week in Shanghai in June
Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District will stage its inaugural arts week in Shanghai in June, potentially paving the way for similar deals with other mainland Chinese cities. Advertisement The authority behind the arts hub will host the WestK Shanghai Week, which will involve seven cultural and artistic programmes to be held between June 18 and 22. West Kowloon Cultural District Authority CEO Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee told the Post earlier this month that the Shanghai week would serve as a platform to promote Hong Kong's arts, culture and tourism. 'Other than cultural exchanges, we are going to market the Hong Kong brand and attract Shanghai tourists to come to the city,' she said. 'If it works well, we can go to other mainland cities or even overseas cities to do the same thing.' She said the event was supported by Shanghai's municipal government and the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. Hong Kong's Economic Trade Office in Shanghai and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau were also providing their support. Advertisement Fung said Hong Kong would be able to show off its home-grown works during the event. She gave the example of the Cantonese musical The Impossible Trial, which would be shown in Shanghai between June 17 and 29.
