To strengthen cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Shanghai and to celebrate the 6 th anniversary of the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) in collaboration with the Shanghai Grand Theatre organised the Hong Kong Culture Week from 25 August to 5 September 2004. Arts organisations from Hong Kong were invited to stage performances in the event.

The 12-day Hong Kong Culture Week was widely supported by both Hong Kong and Shanghai government. Performances included opera performance “Carmen” and “Faust” by Opera Hong Kong and Shanghai Opera House, ballet performance “Turandot” and opening performance “Swan Lake” by Hong Kong Ballet and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, closing performance by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Also staged during the event were the exhibition “Creative Hong Kong – Display of Design and Lifestyle” by Project Hong Kong and the display panels to introduce the work of the ADC and the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District, giving the people of Shanghai a better understanding of the arts development in Hong Kong.

The opening ceremony was held at the Shanghai Grand Theatre on 27 August, with Dr Patrick Ho, Secretary for Home Affairs; Dr Darwin Chen, Chairman of the ADC and Mr Ye Zhi Kang, President of Shanghai Media & Entertainment Group as the officiating guests. Other guests included Mrs Jin Min Zhu, Vice President of United Front Work Department, Shanghai Municipal Committee, Mr Le Sheng Li and Mr Qian Shi Jin, General Manager and Vice General Manager of Shanghai Grand Theatre respectively, Shanghai government officials and Consul Generals, Chief Executive and Council members of the ADC as well as Hong Kong and Shanghai arts practitioners.

The Hong Kong Culture Week not only strengthens cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Shanghai, but also helps arts organisations to develop arts market in China. The five performances were well-received in Shanghai and attracted about 6,500 audiences.