Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung has appointed Chinese contemporary artist Xu Bing as Ambassador for Cultural Promotion for about five years starting today. As Ambassador for Cultural Promotion, Mr Xu will initiate a series of large-scale art projects in Hong Kong and nurture young talent to promote cultural development. The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau said the appointment aims to extend the Ambassador for Cultural Promotion scheme to other fields of arts, after Chinese composer, musician and conductor Tan Dun became Hong Kong’s first Ambassador for Cultural Promotion last year. Speaking at the appointment ceremony today, Mr Yeung said Mr Xu is widely recognised as one of the most innovative and influential Chinese contemporary artists. The culture chief added that the Museum of Art collected one of Mr Xu's most well-known works A Book from the Sky, which contains both traditional and contemporary elements, just like Hong Kong
The General Administration of Sport of China will later convene a meeting with Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau on preparation of the 15th National Games, Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui said today.
Mr Tsui told legislators today that the meeting will discuss the division of work, financial arrangements and other details of the games.
The central government announced on August 26 its agreement for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to host the 15th National Games in 2025.
He said a good foundation is in place for Hong Kong to take part in hosting the games, with Kai Tak Sports Park to be commissioned in 2023, the city having the Hong Kong Velodrome where many international competitions have been held and other sports facilities.
As for developing new and improving existing facilities, Mr Tsui noted that 21 of the 26 projects under the Five-Year Plan for Sports & Recreation Facilities have obtained funding approval from the Legislative Council, involving around $7.7 billion in total.
The 21 projects will provide three heated swimming pools and 15 open spaces for public use, the latter including two seven-a-side football pitches, two five-a-side football pitches, four tennis courts, eight basketball courts, two lawn bowling greens and two cycling grounds.
The approved projects will also implement pre-construction activities for redeveloping one sports ground and one amenity complex.
Facilities in seven of the approved projects have been opened or scheduled for opening this year for public use, he added.
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