Merger of culture and sports bureaus to involve over 1,100 staff

The merger of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Cultural Development Fund, and Sports Bureau is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026 and will involve 1,188 staff, with officials confident the transition can be managed smoothly, Social Affairs and Culture Secretary O Lam said during a Legislative Assembly session Friday.

The official said that the merger, which plans to fold the three bureaus into a single “Culture+” entity, is part of a broader effort to integrate culture and sports. O Lam said that this year’s National Games served as a pilot for integrating cultural elements into sports activities, which will guide future initiatives under the merged bureau.

Reinforcing the MSAR government’s vision for deeper synergy between culture and sports, she cited the 15th National Games as a prime example of how cultural elements have already been seamlessly integrated into large-scale sporting events.

Academy to assist in creative blueprint

O Lam also unveiled plans to launch the Bairro de S. Lázaro study program and to turn the Avenida de Coronel Mesquita complex near Avenida de Horta e Costa into a cultural and creative zone.

To support these efforts, she said the government has commissioned the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China’s top academic institution and comprehensive research center for philosophy and social sciences, to develop a cultural and creative industry plan for next year.

“We hope to use St. Lazarus’ Parish, which is a relatively mature area, to create a comprehensive cultural and creative district,” O Lam said, adding that authorities have carved out themed cultural zones focused on areas such as intangible heritage and temples.

She added that it will also “transform the Avenida de Coronel Mesquita building complex into a cultural and creative zone with distinctive characteristics.” NS