Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (center), chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Wu Zhenglong (right), governor of Jiangsu province, visit a booth on April 20, 2018 for the opening of the Jiangsu cultural event being held at Hong Kong's Victoria Park. The event will run through April 22, 2018. [Photo by Parker Zheng / China Daily]

Jiangsu province launched its largest-ever cultural exchange event in Hong Kong on Friday, creating a way to deepen people-to-people bonds and boost overall cooperation between the province and the special administrative region.

At the free cultural event over the weekend, Hong Kong people will be able to sample Jiangsu's theatrical performances, intangible cultural heritages, abundant tourism resources and authentic cuisine from all around the province.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said she was excited to see this festival, which she had suggested in September, has come together in such a short time.

Lam said she hoped the events will help Hong Kong people acquire a better understanding of the unique culture of Jiangsu and help Jiangsu people living in the SAR to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of their home province.

Lam said she's confident that Jiangsu and Hong Kong will step up exchanges, take full advantage of each other's strengths, continue to join hands in exploring Belt and Road opportunities and contribute to the country's development.

Jiangsu Governor Wu Zhenglong, who has been visiting Hong Kong for the first time since taking office in July, said he believed the events would strengthen the bond between people from Jiangsu and Hong Kong.

He said he hoped this will pave the way for their closer collaboration.

Henry Tang Ying-yen, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organizations, called the events a milestone for enhancing cultural and economic exchanges between the two places.

The events, co-organized by the Jiangsu provincial government, the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organizations and Jiangsu Residents (HK) Association, will run through the weekend at Victoria Park.

Jiangsu cuisine - one of the eight traditional Chinese cuisines - is one highlight. At the event, 57 kinds of different food and snacks will be presented.

Famous chefs from Jiangsu will prepare the food on site to be offered to visitors for tasting.

Another highlight will be a display of intangible cultural heritages originating from Jiangsu.

Among the 38 pieces of Jiangsu handicrafts that will be displayed at the event, one item that is considered a national treasure - a cabbage sculpture made from jade - is leaving the Chinese mainland for the first time.

Insurance alone for the trip to Hong Kong for the 150-kilogram sculpture cost more than HK$1 million (US$127,500), according to the organizer.

Jiangsu's strengths include finance, education, technology and tourism, and the province also is famous for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful historical water towns.

heshusi@chinadailyhk.com