Hong Kong striving to bring in large-scale int’l events, says culture chief amid word that Singapore to host Lady Gaga
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong’s culture chief has said authorities are striving to bring “different” events to the city amid word that Singapore will be hosting singer Lady Gaga’s concerts in May.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said in response to a reporter at a Friday press conference that she was aware of reports that an “international singer” may be going to a “neighbouring city” to perform.
“We – and a number of Asian cities – are striving to host different events… after Kai Tak Sports Park opens, we will also welcome many large-scale international events,” Law said in Cantonese, referring to the entertainment facility set to open on Saturday.
A major infrastructure project that cost HK$30 billion to build, the Kai Tak Sports Park has been billed by the government as key to the city’s “mega event” push. With a capacity of 50,000, the centrepiece Kai Tak Stadium will be the city’s largest – with more than three times as many seats as the AsiaWorld-Arena, which has hosted many international artists and accommodates around 14,000.
Law said the park would be hosting the Hong Kong Sevens in March, as well as a series of concerts by British band Coldplay in April.
“There will be singers who have not held concerts in Hong Kong for a long time, and superstars in Asia,” she added.
“We are approaching organisers of different events but due to business considerations… we won’t reveal details,” she added.
On Thursday, Singapore media outlet Lianhe Zaobao cited an “industry insider” saying that Lady Gaga was coming to the city to perform four to six shows. Singapore is rumoured to be the exclusive Southeast Asia spot, the outlet said.
Last March, US singer Taylor Swift played six sold-out shows in the Lion City. Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s then-prime minister, said the city had negotiated for Singapore to be the only Southeast Asia spot on her world tour.
The opening ceremony of the Kai Tak Sports Park on Saturday evening is set to feature local and mainland Chinese athletes and celebrities.
Among the names are singers Joey Yung and MC Cheung, as well as Olympic athletes including fencer Vivian Kong, table tennis player Doo Hoi-kem and badminton mixed pair Jordan Tang and Tse Ying-suet.
The 8,500 tickets for the opening ceremony, which went for HK$10, were sold out within half an hour of sales opening last Friday. On Tuesday, police said they arrested three people on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud after allegedly selling the tickets online at inflated prices.
The suspects attempted to sell the tickets for HK$100 to HK$2,000, police said.
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