HK performing arts expo hosts promotional event in Beijing

Most of the events will be hosted in the West Kowloon Cultural District, with others taking place in cultural venues such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts and the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.

Following the expo, representatives from international troupes will have the opportunity to visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province for discussions with local performing arts organizations.

Winsome Chow, chief executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, said that the expo had adopted the letter "X" as a symbol to signify its desires to "explore", "experience", "express", "exhibit" and "exchange" that lie at the heart of its mission.

"'X' represents intersecting for people and cultures from different regions, where they converge, explore opportunities to collaborate and exchange creative ideas," Chow said.

Xu Haijun, chairman of China Cultural Media Group, said that the group has been involved in the expo's organization, particularly through planning expo events taking place on the Chinese mainland.

The performing arts organizations invited to the promotional event included the China National Opera House, the Chongqing Performance Arts Group, the Tianjin North Performing Arts Group and the Beijing-based comedy production company Mahua FunAge.

"During HKPAX, we will organize a performing arts networking session to fully showcase the achievements of the sector on the Chinese mainland, as well as arrange meetings with representatives from overseas performing arts organizations and agencies to help Chinese performing arts groups to tap international markets," Xu said.