HK can be launch pad for talent with global ambitions

German Ku Cheuk-man, also known by his

Portuguese name Germano Guilherme, was crowned winner of TVB talent show Midlife, Sing & Shine! 2, thanks to his vocals, looks and onstage allure. Born and raised in Macau, he is of Portuguese and Chinese descent, and sings in Cantonese, Mandarin and English like a native. Some believe he has the potential to become an international star.

In his 2022 policy address, Hong Kong’s chief executive announced the establishment of the

Culture Commission to provide clear direction for Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. While this commission is to come up with a blueprint, the chief executive announced in his 2023 policy address that the government will, among other measures, increase the annual recurrent allocation for cultural exchanges by 40 per cent, from HK$50 million to HK$70 million, to support more arts groups and artists in going global.

Last month, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority signed memorandums of understanding with 21 leading arts and cultural institutions from around the world, underlining Hong Kong’s development as a hub for international cultural exchange. The installation of Chubby Hearts, costing taxpayers HK$7.8 million and drawing mixed reviews, was another attempt to signal the international nature of Hong Kong’s cultural landscape.

Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo are jockeying for position in the race to be Asia’s leading cultural destination, on par with London and New York. We are disappointed that Taylor Swift chose Singapore but not Hong Kong. But let’s not forget that the mere import of big names from the West will not make Hong Kong an international cultural magnet. London and New York thrive because of their cultural diversity and the fact that talent from different backgrounds are given opportunities to shine.

As the government continues to seek global talent, we should develop Hong Kong as a launch pad for talented individuals in the Greater Bay Area who have global ambitions. We need more like Germano Guilherme in different industries, talent with a cultural understanding of East and West and the potential to shine on the global stage. Rachel Chan, North Point