Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham says he is honoured to put Hong Kong on the global culture map by showing the world that the city is able to cultivate high-level artists.

The remark came after Sham won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, a top classical music contest held every four years in the United States.

Speaking at a virtual press conference on Thursday, Sham described the competition as the “end-game” for him.

“It’s one of these competitions that really sets you up for life. Whatever you want to do in your career, if you win a prize, it really gives you such an opportunity and also such a platform on a global scale,” he said.

Sham said music teaching in Hong Kong is among the best in the world.

“I would say that studying music in Hong Kong is at a very high level internationally. The music education, especially at a young age, in Hong Kong is really at the highest level globally, there are very few places that can provide as solid and as high level of a foundation,” he said.

Sham also said every musician and performer requires global exposure and knowledge from different cultures.

“It’s great that Hongkongers have the opportunity to study overseas, and with the fact that they are able to have such a great foundation in Hong Kong, I think there are a lot of opportunities for success,” he said.

Sham thanked Hong Kong people for their support, saying he is glad to be able to perform in the city on August 30 as the first stop of a concert tour in Asia.