Kenneth Fok

Currently a board member of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Kenneth Fok is also Executive Vice President of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (Hong Kong branch), an advisor to the Movie Producers and Distributors Association of Hong Kong, and Honorary President of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation.  

An enthusiast about sports, culture and arts development, he organised a summit in 2021 to develop Hong Kong into a centre for international cultural exchange, and has run “The ARThletes”, a project to enhance interactions between artists and athletes. In 2023, Hong Kong Baptist University bestowed an Honorary University Fellowship in recognition of his contributions to sports, arts and culture in Hong Kong.  

Mr. Fok is a deputy to the National People's Congress of the People’s Republic of China, the Vice Chairman of All-China Youth Federation and Vice President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Arts Development Council

Established in 1995, Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) is a statutory body set up by the Government to support the broad development of the arts in Hong Kong. Its major roles include grant allocation, policy and planning, advocacy, promotion and development, and special projects.

The mission of HKADC is to support and promote the development of 10 major art forms in literary arts, performing arts, visual arts as well as film and media arts in Hong Kong. Aiming to foster a thriving arts environment and enhancing the quality of life of the public, HKADC is also committed to facilitating community-wide participation in the arts and arts education, encouraging arts criticism, raising the standard of arts administration, and contributing to policy research.

Betty Fung

Mrs Betty Fung was appointed by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) Board as Chief Executive Officer of WKCDA with effect from 15 October 2021.

Mrs Fung joined the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in 1986. Since then, she had served in various bureaux and departments, including as Press Secretary to Chief Secretary and Financial Secretary, Assistant Director of Trade, Deputy Government Chief Information Officer and Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower.

In 2007, Mrs Fung was appointed Director of Information Services who was the Government's chief advisor on public relations and publicity matters. She was appointed Director of Leisure and Cultural Services from 2009 to 2014 to oversee the development and management of cultural, sports and recreation facilities in Hong Kong including museums, public libraries and performing arts venues. As Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs from July 2014 to April 2018, she oversaw the formulation of culture, sports and district administration policies and was actively involved in the implementation of the WKCD project including the Hong Kong Palace Museum project.

Mrs Fung was Head, Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office from April 2018 to November 2020 prior to her secondment to WKCDA as Acting CEO between December 2020 and June 2021.

Mrs Fung has been awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite in 2020 for her contributions towards fostering cultural cooperation and exchange between France and Hong Kong. She has been elected Executive Committee member of the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (2023 to 2025).

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD or the District) is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on 40 hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, WKCD will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.

Eve Tam

Eve Tam studied Fine Arts and graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1991 and holds Master’s degrees in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies from HKU (2003) and Museum Studies from the University of Sydney (2012). Since joining the HKSAR government in 1992 she has been involved in the setup of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and renovations of the Hong Kong Museum of Art and took leadership roles in the planning of the Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre and the expansions of the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong History Museum.

Deputy Director (Culture) in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department since 2022, Tam oversees the planning and management of museums, performance venues and public libraries. She is responsible for the East Kowloon Culture Centre and New Territories Cultural Centre and has launched such new festivals as the Chinese Culture Festival, the Asia+ Arts Festival and the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival.

Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)

The LCSD promotes Hong Kong’s arts and culture, enhances its physical environment, and fosters cooperative interaction between sports, cultural and community organisations. The department also organises exhibitions, sporting events and cultural performances. The Cultural Services Branch of the LCSD manages the department’s existing cultural venues including museums, libraries and performance venues, plans for new ones to meet demand, and organises cultural and entertainment programmes. It also provides public library services and promotes reading and the literary arts. In addition, the branch is responsible for Hong Kong’s public museums and their related museum services. The Cultural Services Branch is supported by expert advisers who provide input on issues relating to the performing arts, the literary arts, and museum activities. They include artists, authors, academics and others who have made significant contributions in their fields.

Wilfred Wong

Currently President and Executive Director of Sands China Limited, Dr Wong previously served as Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service, Deputy Director-General of Industry of the Hong Kong Government and Chairman of Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service. He is currently the Chairperson of Hong Kong Film Development Council; Chairman of Asian Film Awards Academy; Chairman of Hong Kong International Film Festival Society; Chairman of Hong Kong Institute for Public Administration; Chairman Emeritus of Hong Kong Baptist University Foundation; Chairman Emeritus of the Pacific Basin Economic Council; and Member of the 9th, 10th and 11th National Congress of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. He was awarded the Silver and Gold Bauhinia Star awards in 2007 and 2015 respectively.

Hong Kong Arts Development Council

Established in 1995, Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) is a statutory body set up by the Government to support the broad development of the arts in Hong Kong. Its major roles include grant allocation, policy and planning, advocacy, promotion and development, and special projects.

The mission of HKADC is to support and promote the development of 10 major art forms in literary arts, performing arts, visual arts as well as film and media arts in Hong Kong. Aiming to foster a thriving arts environment and enhancing the quality of life of the public, HKADC is also committed to facilitating community-wide participation in the arts and arts education, encouraging arts criticism, raising the standard of arts administration, and contributing to policy research.

Dr. Joanna C. Lee (Moderator)

Dr. Joanna C. Lee has served as consultant and translator for such institutions as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and the New York Asian Film Festival. Since 2004, she is the regular host and interpreter at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum. She was a publicity consultant for the “Big Five” American orchestras on their Asian tours as well as consulting producer for San Francisco Opera’s Dream of the Red Chamber. She is currently serving as outreach consultant for multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions in New York. She has served as an on-stage interpreter for former US President Jimmy Carter, Chinese director Jia Zhangke and artist Xu Bing, as well as provided opera surtitles for the China National Centre for the Performing Arts and the Beijing Music Festival. She is the English surtitle author for the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre since 2007.

Photo Credit: Lia Chang

• Simultaneous interpretation is available in English, Cantonese and Putonghua.
• Holders of the HKPAX Full Pass, Day Pass and Student Pass can access all sessions of Conversations. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online pre-registration is required.