As the festive drums of the Dragon Boat Festival echoed across the Pearl River Delta last week, the characteristic energy and dynamism of our region were once again unmistakable. This year, the festival marked more than just a traditional event; it symbolized Hong Kong’s remarkable revival, its deepening integration with the Chinese mainland, and the exciting fusion of our cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology.
Recent figures from the National Immigration Administration suggest a 12.2 percent increase in daily cross-border trips during the Dragon Boat Festival, with major checkpoints like Luohu Port and Gongbei Port handling hundreds of thousands of travelers daily. This surge in cross-border mobility highlights the renewed connection between the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and the mainland — a clear indication that our region continues to recover confidently from the pandemic era slowdown.
The increase in cross-border exchanges is not merely an economic victory. It signals the strengthening of our shared cultural identity and mutual understanding. Festivals, after all, are more than just holidays — they are powerful cultural expressions that deepen social cohesion. When people from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao gather along waterways to cheer on dragon boat racers, we witness a vivid manifestation of our shared traditions and collective spirit. The vibrant spectacle of dragon boat races — steeped in history yet exuberant in modernity — underscores our common roots and aspirations.
Yet, in this era of rapid technological advancement, it is vital that we do more than preserve traditional festivals. We must also innovate to ensure they remain relevant and engaging for younger generations. Recently, experts attending the Forum on Building up China’s Cultural Strength in Shenzhen emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technology with cultural industries. Leaders like Li Shulei and Huang Kunming have rightly pointed out that we must proactively embrace digitalization and intelligence to boost the quality and reach of our cultural offerings. This integration is already beginning to reshape Hong Kong’s cultural landscape.
Across the globe, leading cultural institutions have demonstrated the vast potential of technological innovation to elevate cultural experiences. The Palace Museum in Beijing is a prime example, harnessing artificial intelligence and virtual reality to engage millions of young visitors globally. Here in Hong Kong, the West Kowloon Cultural District’s M+ museum has similarly employed digital technologies to enhance visitors’ experiences, allowing viewers to immerse fully in exhibits and interact with artworks in unprecedented ways.
Moreover, the application of AI in cultural creation offers enormous potential. Gao Wen, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized the inevitable global trend of deep integration between AI and culture. Already, AI technology is being harnessed in fields such as cinema, gaming, and literature, facilitating new forms of storytelling and creative expression. Hong Kong, as a vibrant hub of innovation and technology, is perfectly positioned to leverage this wave. By embracing such opportunities, we can elevate our cultural industries, enhance our international competitiveness, and cement our status as a leading global cultural capital.
However, the intersection of culture and technology also introduces challenges we must responsibly address. Concerns around copyrights of AI-generated content, data security, and privacy must be managed with robust regulatory frameworks. Hong Kong, with its strong rule of law and regulatory expertise, has the capacity to lead in developing fair, transparent, and effective regulations for digital creativity. Ensuring ethical use of technology will build trust among creators, consumers, and investors alike.
The celebrations during the Dragon Boat Festival, coupled with the concurrent Children’s Day festivities, also underline the significance of fostering cultural appreciation and technological literacy among our youth. Encouraging younger generations to participate actively in cultural events and providing them with digital tools can nurture their creativity and innovative thinking. Educational initiatives that combine cultural heritage with modern technology can help cultivate future leaders who appreciate tradition while embracing innovation.
Hong Kong’s strategic location as a gateway between the mainland and the rest of the world provides an exceptional advantage in this cultural-technological integration. Our city must seize this opportunity by investing strategically in infrastructure, talent training, and digital ecosystems to support our cultural sector. Through cross-border collaboration, we can create an innovative corridor that links Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, attracting global talent and investment.
Ultimately, the rise in cross-border travel during this year’s Dragon Boat Festival serves as a vivid reminder of our connections and our shared responsibility in shaping a prosperous, innovative future. By strategically combining cultural traditions with technological innovation, Hong Kong can further solidify its position as a vibrant cultural capital, a technological pioneer, and a dynamic city at the heart of China’s broader national vision of modernization.
The author is the convener at China Retold, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
