Hong Kong´s 1st Entertainment Expo opens

cctv.com 03-25-2005 16:34

Hong Kong has taken centre stage in Asia's entertainment world with the launch of its first Entertainment Expo. The main task of the event is to reinvigorate Hong Kong's ailing film and entertainment industries. The mega convention, which will run for two weeks, covers a range of events on the territory's entertainment calendar, from the annual film festival to the glamorous Hong Kong Film Awards.

The expo was inaugurated by Hong Kong's acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang and more than 1,000 film and entertainment industry leaders.

Celebrity red carpet regulars like Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Chow Yun-fat and Jackie Chan were also present to lend support to the event.

The territory's once vibrant movie industry has been reduced to a shadow of its former self in the past decade by rampant video piracy and organized crime muscling in on the business.

Hong Kong's acting Chief Executive said the government remains confident of the future of the film and entertainment industries and will continue to build a favorable environment for it to flourish.

Donald Tsang, Hong Kong Acting Chief Executive, said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the future looks bright indeed. Many possibilities lie ahead - big possibilities. As the Carpenters' song says, 'We've only just begun.' So let's all keep working at it."

Actor Tony Leung, who was appointed as Hong Kong's entertainment ambassador, said the determination of the territory's people would help them ride through this downturn.

Tony Leung, Hong Kong Actor & Entertainment Ambassador, said, "The "can do spirit" is what makes Hong Kong really special and unique. I am really proud to be the ambassador and I can promise I will spread this message wherever I go. Thank you."

Only 64 Hong Kong films hit cinema screens last year, compared with more than 300 a year in the heyday of the 1980s. Hong Kong-made movies exploded onto the world's screens in the 1970s with Bruce Lee's kung fu films. Action star Jackie Chan carried the glory on into the 1980s.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com