[Benefits and benefits] The new plan of the Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism cannot tell the story of Hong Kong and China

The new government structure of Chief Executive-designate Li Jiachao is about to be approved by the Legislative Council, and the Executive Council has just passed the government reform plan.

Can this plan bring Hong Kong into good governance?

There are several determinants. First of all, under the current international competition, the Hong Kong government cannot operate as it did 30 years ago, and a paradigm shift is required.

In the past, the structure of the Hong Kong government was a "ghost-like" structure, that is, all departments would not be unified on one platform and could act independently, which means creating a kind of checks and balances among various government departments.

But this model makes it difficult for the government to innovate, to be held accountable, and to move forward. It is like a mobile phone without a battery, with all the parts, but the most important battery is in the hands of another department.

The main reason for this situation is that the policy bureau cannot be fully held accountable and promoted.

For example, in the new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, government documents show that many policies related to creative content, such as "Creative Hong Kong" and the culture group and culture and arts-related content under the LCSD, are placed under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

But most importantly, the media platform that can reach the public and have the greatest influence remains on the side of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, and the Intellectual Property Department remains on the side of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau.

This situation is like a mobile phone without a network: you have taken a lot of photos with your mobile phone, but you are unable to distribute these photos and share them with others, let alone carry out secondary creations.

Industrialization itself is not only about economic interests, but can be more permeable, so that high-quality cultural and artistic content can penetrate into society.

Therefore, the design of the new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau is not ideal. The parts related to the policies of Hong Kong, Taiwan and TV stations should also be transferred to this new platform. The departments of the Intellectual Property Department that involve "cultural IP" and copyright should also incorporate some elements into the new platform. Bureau.

Why is "cultural IP" so important?

For example, there are so many wonderful cartoon characters in Hong Kong. After the Intellectual Property Department is strengthened, it will be able to promote Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries to Asia and the world just like South Korea.

Using the cultural IP digital trading platform to help culture "go global" will also bring economic benefits to artists and creative people.

There are so many wonderful animation characters in Hong Kong. After the Intellectual Property Department is strengthened, it will be able to promote Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries to Asia and the world just like South Korea.

The picture shows the Hong Kong animation "McDull Story".

(file picture)

Case studies from South Korea and Taiwan have demonstrated that online platforms combining database and transactional functions play a key role in facilitating the commercial use of creative works.

This relationship is being done in Korea, Taiwan, and the world (relevant research materials can be found in Korea Copyright Commission 2018 Annual Report and Digital Cultural Content Distribution Mechanism Promotion Programme 2021), but Hong Kong is still in the 1990s. mode.

The Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism should set up these platforms.

In fact, media assistance is also needed in promoting tourism, as is sports.

Therefore, what the Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism currently lacks is the media and copyright sectors.

Only by adding the platform of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the media can really strengthen the ability of "storytelling" and create a complete mobile phone: with battery, network, and content.

It can be distributed and shared, rather than just creating more content without any strategy to push it out.

The most worrying thing is that the government will rely on Western international platforms such as Art Basel instead of establishing its own platform to promote Hong Kong content.

If Hong Kong content cannot be promoted, how can there be real innovation?

How can there be a real industry?

How can we really tell the story of Hong Kong?

Tell a good Chinese story?

Therefore, it is suggested that Li Jiachao should transfer the commercial and economic bureau, the media and related parts involving cultural IP to the cultural, sports and tourism bureau.

The Bureau of Commerce and Economic Affairs can keep the communication section, and it should not be all tied up.

Hu Enwei

is a member of the National Hong Kong and Macao Research Association, a member of the Jiangsu Provincial Political Consultative Conference, and Zuni.

Icosahedron United Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer