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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Urban Council has traditionally taken a leading role in the development and promotion of arts in Hong Kong, and we have every determination to stay that way. Our slogan ‘enriching city life' is also our pledge to deliver arts to all, with a view to enriching their spiritual life.
Many years ago, Hong Kong was criticized as being a barren 'cultural desert'. Can people still say the same about us today? Of course not. Look at our cultural centre and civic centres, the high quality and often world-class performances staged, and the audience attracted. Look at the success of our performing companies, including, of course, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and how well they are received both locally and overseas. Look at our museums and their rich collections and the major exhibitions of overseas art works. Look at our libraries and the creativity in literary arts we have tried hard to promote. Long before Government seems to have woken up to the fact that a community cannot really prosper without its own culture and arts, we have already taken the initiative and the lead in arousing and cultivating public interest in arts, and making sure that such interest is sustained. We take great pride in our work and achievements in this field. Notwithstanding, we are by no means self-complacent. We will continue to be dedicated and committed to delivering arts and making it an enjoyment for all.
With the hard work and relentless efforts of our Council, we have built up a firm foundation for arts in Hong Kong to progress further. Now Government feels the time is ripe to develop on this foundation by undertaking an Arts Policy Review. We will work together with them. But there will be no shrinking of our responsibilities or commitments. The public will not allow this. We will carry on what we have been achieving.
I sincerely hope that the Government will respect our autonomy and achievements in arts development. They should not seek to consolidate on the work which we have done for many years, and with excellent results. That should remain the Council's responsibilities and jurisdiction. Instead, they should aim at breaking new ground and working closely with us in order to excel Hong Kong further in the artistic world. I therefore see the role of the Arts Council as complementary to ours, and clearly not superimposed on us.
There are various recommendations in the Arts Policy Review Report which Members have already addressed. Perhaps the centre of all these recommendations is the proposed establishment of an Arts Council. With reference to the Arts Council, I would earnestly urge Government to bear in mind three points:—
(a) there should be no impingement on the policy and financial autonomy of the Urban Council with the setting up of the Arts Council;
(b) to ensure no duplication of work and to make the best use of resources, the terms of reference of the Arts Council should be clearly defined vis-a-vis those of the Urban Council; and
(c) with our close working relationship with the Arts Council, our experience, expertise, and long-established standing in the artistic fields both locally and overseas, there is every advantage for the Urban Council to be well represented on the Arts Council, in order to achieve the common goal.
It is only in the above ways that concerted and well-coordinated efforts can be laid to achieve the most desirable results, and that Hong Kong will benefit from an all-embracing, well-conceived, clearly defined, workable, and practicable arts policy for the future.
With these words, may I now put the motion to vote? Will those who are in favour please raise their hands?
The question on the motion as amended was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT 4.45 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English): That concludes the business of today's meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 8 June 1993 at 2.30 p.m.
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