HONG KONG -- The 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival kicked off on Friday, setting the stage for 180 shows featuring over 1,100 artists worldwide.

The 54-year-old culture and art extravaganza is an arena for top artists to showcase their talent and ingenuity as well as a platform for cultural exchanges, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said at the opening ceremony.

The festival has gained popularity among local residents and tourists alike, which helped boost tourism and the culture industry in Hong Kong, said Lee.

The HKSAR government, a sponsor of the event, will continue to provide funding and other resources for artists and troupes to foster creativity, he said.