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Ambrose Li

Hong Kong’s arts hub is aiming to expand exchanges with Middle Eastern countries, while its annual deficit has narrowed by 20 per cent year on year to HK$578 million (US$74.3 million).
Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee, the CEO of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, said on Thursday the construction of a music centre would be the priority for the next batch of facilities, should the funds be available.
She also pointed to the Middle East as a potential driver for growth through collaborations.
“Middle Eastern countries are definitely a goal of ours,” Fung said, adding that the authority would visit the region next year in search of opportunities.
“Like Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, the commissioner for the belt and road plan who takes the lead in building business connections, we will be there to forge cultural exchanges.
“There is scope to expand our performances there.”
Fung highlighted that the district’s M+ museum would be bringing its current exhibition on the Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei to Qatar Museums in 2026, with the Museum of Islamic Art set to bring a decorative showcase to the city next year.
According to Fung, the district’s opening during the pandemic and its success in running the facilities have served as a reference for some of its Middle Eastern counterparts that were launched later.
The authority reported its operating deficit had narrowed by 20 per cent year on year to HK$578 million in the financial year ending March 31, 2024, helped by a 42 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue to HK$1.06 billion.
The cost-recovery rate – a measure of how much an institution contributes to its operating cost – of the district’s Palace Museum and M+ stood at 67 per cent and 42 per cent, respectively, in the 2023-24 financial year.

In 2022, the cost-recovery rates at the United States’ Museum of Modern Art and Britain’s Victoria and Albert Museum were 55 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively.
An initial one-off endowment of HK$21.6 billion given to the authority by the government in 2008 is expected to run out next year.
Fung said the district would be able to obtain financing from banks for its long-term stability after authorities gave it the green light to sell residential flats in the area.
Fung also said the construction of a music centre consisting of a large-scale concert hall with good acoustics would be “the priority” for the next phase of development, depending on the funds available.
She acknowledged the city currently lacked such facilities.
Fung stressed that the work on developing the music centre was ongoing, with staff working on how to approach the project and the specifications required if and when the authority had the resources to build it.
The music centre is one of four buildings in the third batch of the district’s development, with the other three being a grand theatre, a medium theatre and a musical theatre.
The musical theatre would be built using private funds, Fung said.
She said she was also looking forward to working with the soon-to-open Kai Tak Sports Park to advertise the district’s offerings to visitors flying in to attend concerts such as the coming ones by Coldplay, saying they could be interested in musical and cultural events.
“We hope to find plans that will be mutually beneficial to both parties,” she said.


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M+ museum will be bringing its current exhibition on the Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei to Qatar Museums in 2026. Photo: May Tse

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority CEO Betty Fung says she is looking forward to working with the soon-to-open Kai Tak Sports Park. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Patrons line up to enter M+ in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: May Tse

The district has so far completed 45 per cent of its arts and cultural facilities, but has only gradually developed its revenue-generating projects. Photo: May Tse

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The West Kowloon Cultural District is grappling with depleting funds. SCMP: May Tse

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority CEO Betty Fung has said she is confident about the land parcels. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong’s West Kowloon arts hub gets green light to sell land parcels to boost income

The West Kowloon Cultural District is grappling with depleting funds. Photo: Sam Tsang

People visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum, one of the district’s attractions. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Betty Fung, CEO of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, says music centre the next construction priority, if funds available


Betty Fung, CEO of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, says music centre the next construction priority, if funds available.
