The Hong Kong Xinhua Book City was jointly established in 2004 by 霍震宇先生、尹健文(建铭)先生 and a group of cultural workers from Hong Kong, and the mainland Xinhua Distribution Group. At the time, it was the largest bookstore in Hong Kong in terms of single-store area. The bookstore bridged the gap between traditional and simplified Chinese cultures, enabling more Hong Kong residents to learn about traditional Chinese culture and stay updated on cultural developments in mainland China. With the rapid development of Hong Kong society and electronic media, Xinhua Book City ceased its physical store operations, shifting its focus to publishing and cultural arts endeavors.
The founder of Hong Kong Xinhua Book City Publishing Co., Ltd., Mr. Ken Wan尹先生, is an experienced publisher with a passion for art. At the beginning of 2021, he decided to continue supporting physical publishing while launching an online art platform to serve Hong Kong’s cultural and artistic community.
With the rapid rise of China’s economy, Hong Kong has been integrated into the national Greater Bay Area development blueprint. In addition to being a hub for financial services, logistics, and innovation and technology exchanges between China and the world, Beijing has also explicitly positioned Hong Kong as a center for cultural exchange and integration between China and other countries. Under the impetus of these national policies, Hong Kong’s cultural work is expected to see new developments and a broader horizon.
CEO of Hong Kong Xinhua Book City Publishing Co., Ltd.
In the early 1990s, the advent of e-publishing and the internet profoundly impacted the publishing industry. This period witnessed the emergence of electronic encyclopedias and dictionaries, which shook the industry to its core. There were widespread fears that traditional print media would be replaced by electronic media. The arrival of Philips CD-I alarmed publishers, as tech giants aggressively entered the publishing space, leaving smaller traditional publishers feeling intimidated. Some hastily turned to developing electronic publications for CD-I platforms.
On a personal note, as an art enthusiast, I have always sought a way forward amidst uncertainty, realizing that mere artistic dreams cannot satisfy practical needs. I have long aspired to publish an art magazine to promote the value of art, providing artists with more avenues to make a living. After decades of effort, this magazine is finally published as a voice for the industry.
Despite the rapid technological advancements, the development of traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting remains stagnant. The value of Chinese art in the international market is still low. As a citizen of the Chinese cultural heritage living in the international metropolis of Hong Kong, I feel a responsibility to promote Chinese culture globally.
This website aims to promote Chinese culture and art, providing a digital platform for calligraphy and painting professionals and enthusiasts to showcase their works and exchange ideas.
