Jockey Club sponsors East Meets West Opera Gala, supporting Hong Kong as a centre for international cultural exchange

06/05/2023 21:00

Jointly performed by the China National Opera House and the Hong Kong Orchestra, the East Meets West Opera Gala will be held for two consecutive nights starting tonight (6 May) at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) is delighted to be the sole sponsor of the concert as a “Special Supporting Organisation”, making a significant contribution to cultural and arts cooperation and exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Club has also invited local youth and cultural arts groups to enjoy the performances.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony tonight included HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Zheng Yanxiong; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Lu Xinning; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR Liu Guangyuan; Deputy Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Sun Qingye; Deputy Director of the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Yi; Chairman of the Bauhinia Cultural Group Xu Zhengzhong; Club Deputy Chairman Dr Eric Li; Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung; General Manager of the Bauhinia Cultural Group Wen Hongwu; and Ma Fung-kwok, the Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress and Legislative Council member.

In his speech, Club Deputy Chairman Dr Eric Li welcomed the China National Opera House to Hong Kong. He said the concert will not only bring much pleasure to local audiences and create a positive cultural atmosphere in the city, but promote the development of the arts in Hong Kong.

The concert is organised by the Bauhinia Cultural Group under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the HKSAR Government, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (CLO). The China National Opera House will perform well-known opera pieces accompanied by the Hong Kong Orchestra and also featuring renowned tenor Warren Mok, creating an atmosphere of cultural and artistic exchange.

The China National Opera House will hold a masterclass for teachers and students at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 8 May, enhancing their understanding of the history and culture of the country. They will also perform a special concert at the Jockey Club Auditorium at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University later that evening. Both events will support Hong Kong’s position as a base for disseminating outstanding Chinese culture.

The Club is committed to promoting cultural and artistic exchange between China and foreign countries, and to supporting the construction of cultural facilities and the conservation of heritage in Hong Kong. In alignment with the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, which supports the development of Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, the Club signed a collaboration agreement with the CLO this March, namely the CLO-HKJC Collaboration Agreement for Sports, Cultural and Arts Initiatives. Under the collaboration agreement, from 2023 to 2025 the Club will sponsor the CLO to organise sports, cultural and arts exchange activities for Hong Kong youth. It will also support the CLO to provide cultural and arts executive development and training programmes to nurture local cultural and arts talent and management executives.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2021/22, the Club returned a total of HK$33.6 billion to the community. This included HK$27.0 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$6.6 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.