SHA meets with Executive Secretary of Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan (with photos)

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (September 12) met with the Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Kuatzhan Ualiyev, in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.  

     The Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Co-operation with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan in March this year to enhance cultural collaboration between the two places.

     Mr Lau said that closer cultural ties with Kazakhstan are expected to be maintained under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Last year, Kazakhstan and the Hong Kong Museum of History jointly presented the exhibition "Miles upon Miles: World Heritage along the Silk Road" in Hong Kong. In addition, representatives from Kazakhstan also participated in the 10th Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum. During this visit, young Hong Kong musicians will perform with renowned Kazakhstan arts groups in a joint concert to be held in Almaty.

     This morning, Mr Lau called on the Ambassador of China to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Zhang Xiao, to keep abreast of China's developments in Kazakhstan. During his stay in Astana, Mr Lau visited cultural and sports facilities including a museum, opera house and velodrome. He also met with local cycling and ice hockey athletes and watched a training session.

     Mr Lau will depart for Kyrgyzstan to continue his visit tomorrow (September 13).