Hong Kong Joins 27th Shenzhen Reading Month with 30 Cultural Events
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and Create Hong Kong, officially opened Hong Kong's participation in the 27th Shenzhen Reading Month on November 1, 2026, in Shenzhen. The month-long programme features approximately 30 cultural events running until December 5, with the Hong Kong Kung Fu World Exhibition and Book Fair serving as the centrepiece. The exhibition, which runs until November 22 at the UpperHills Central Atrium, highlights Hong Kong's unique position as a melting pot where Chinese traditions have been preserved and innovated over nearly a century. Officials hope the initiative will strengthen cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Shenzhen while expanding Hong Kong's publishing market presence in the Greater Bay Area.
Key Points
- The opening ceremony on November 1 was attended by Create Hong Kong Commissioner Ricky Lai Sai-ming and a Hong Kong industry delegation, who also participated in the 27th Shenzhen Reading Month launch ceremony that evening .
- The Hong Kong Kung Fu World Exhibition and Book Fair, running from November 1 to 22 at the UpperHills Central Atrium, is free to the public and explores how kung fu culture has served as a vessel for transmitting Chinese traditions .
- Additional activities include the Reading Hong Kong Good Books Tour at Fen Deng Bookstore and United Bookstore until November 15 and 30 respectively, featuring eight author talks and workshops .
- A Greater Bay Area Historical Walk symposium will be held on November 22 at the Shenzhen Library, discussing Lingnan culture, overseas Chinese history, Chinese martial arts heritage, and urban cultural development .
- Legislative Council member and Hong Kong Publishing Federation President Li Ka-kuen noted that with Shenzhen hosting APEC, the events offer overseas visitors a window into Hong Kong's kung fu culture and its connection to traditional Chinese values .
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's fourth consecutive participation in the Shenzhen Reading Month reflects the deepening implementation of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong "Dual-City Co-Reading" consensus and the vision of building a literary Greater Bay Area . The timing of the programme coinciding with the APEC summit in Shenzhen provides a strategic platform for Hong Kong to showcase its soft power and cultural heritage to international audiences, while simultaneously opening new market opportunities for local publishers in the Greater Bay Area .
Hong Kong's fourth consecutive participation in the Shenzhen Reading Month reflects the deepening implementation of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong "Dual-City Co-Reading" consensus and the vision of building a literary Greater Bay Area . The timing of the programme coinciding with the APEC summit in Shenzhen provides a strategic platform for Hong Kong to showcase its soft power and cultural heritage to international audiences, while simultaneously opening new market opportunities for local publishers in the Greater Bay Area .