He said the Hong Kong government had previously heard ideas about organising a show where “something would rise from the harbour at certain times of the day”.
“It sounds attractive in theory, but the challenge was feasibility and how to operate on the ground,” he said.
Lee recalled asking the person promoting the idea to think about how to solve the logistical challenges.
“but [the person] “Nobody has gotten back to me, which means there are a lot of great ideas out there, but the difficulty of actually executing them is hard to overcome,” he said.
Lee’s comments came after Hong Kong’s Finance MP Ronnic Chan Chun-ying suggested that Hong Kong should consider following the example of the mainland Chinese city of Lijiang and hosting “immersive” shows by famous directors to create an unforgettable and special experience for tourists.
Zhang was referring to “Impression Lijiang,” an outdoor song and dance performance set against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, more than 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) above sea level. The hour-long show was designed by mainland Chinese film director Zhang Yimou.
Members of the ethnic minority group perform a cultural show titled “Impression Lijiang.” Photo: EPA-EFE
Lee agreed that Hong Kong needed a “signature performance” – something the Hong Kong Culture, Sports and Tourism Board had been exploring on many fronts – but it needed “wisdom” to come up with creative yet feasible ideas.
“Making government policy is like being pregnant. Sometimes we don’t know what work we’ve been doing until the baby is born,” he said.
Li also pointed out the importance of promotion, citing the example of “Peach Blossom Spring,” in which the protagonist accidentally lands in a fantastical paradise isolated from the rest of the world, only to be unable to return.
“The propaganda tells people that Hong Kong is a paradise, but it’s not a paradise hidden from everyone as the story goes,” he said. “We want everyone to know.”
Lee said the government values the exchange of ideas, as well as dissent and criticism.
“I pay close attention to the debates in the Legislative Council because we need to demonstrate the good values of patriots governing Hong Kong, unlike legislatures in Western countries who engage in confrontational politics,” he said.
He praised lawmakers for being efficient in finding common ground rather than relying on a “winner-takes-all” mentality.
Meanwhile, former Commerce and Finance Minister Ma Shih-hang told reporters that Hong Kong must work to find its advantages in a changing economy.
Speaking at the “Hong Kong Opportunity” media tour on the latest developments in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ma said Hong Kong cannot focus on low prices in the services it offers to tourists.
“The tourism model has changed. Low prices can no longer attract mainland Chinese tourists,” Ma said. “Hong Kong needs its own identity.”
Ma added that there was room for improvement in many areas, such as the quality of service provided by taxi drivers, and the city “cannot be complacent”.
Additional reporting by Jess Marr
