HONG KONG – The 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival kicked off on Friday, setting the stage for 180 shows featuring over 1,100 artists worldwide.

The 54-year-old culture and art extravaganza is an arena for top artists to showcase their talent and ingenuity as well as a platform for cultural exchanges, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at the opening ceremony.

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The festival has gained popularity among local residents and tourists alike, which helped boost tourism and the culture industry in Hong Kong, he said.

The HKSAR government, a sponsor of the event, will continue to provide funding and other resources for artists and troupes to foster creativity, he said.