Finding creative solutions

In the third and final installment of her series, Faye Bradley describes how the HKSAR government, private sponsors and nongovernmental organizations all play their parts in showcasing the natural charm and distinctive cultures of Hong Kong's outlying islands, and suggests ways in which they can get better at it.

The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region runs a number of programs meant to give the local economy of its outlying islands a boost. The Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands has been operational since 2012 - not counting its suspension from 2020 to 2022, when socializing was discouraged as part of the government's pandemic-prevention measures. The program is expected to encourage schools and nongovernmental organizations to host events on the islands by subsidizing travel expenses. Successful applicants receive free ferry rides to and from their chosen island.

In 2018, Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department received HK$300 million ($38.6 million) to launch the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Funding Scheme. The initiative supports traditional festivities that are unique to some of Hong Kong's outlying islands - the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade; the Tin Hau Festival, held in Leung Shuen Wan or High Island; the Cheung Chau Bun Festival; the Tin Hau Festival of Po Toi Island; and the Fan Lau Tin Hau Festival in Tai O. Research and publications on the Cheung Chau Bun Festival and the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade are also covered by the funding program.