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Following is the speech delivered by the Postmaster General, Mr P. C. Luk, at the "Hong Kong Movie Stars II" Special Stamp Issue Issuing Ceremony today (April 8):
Mr. HUI, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for joining us today at the issuing ceremony of the "Hong Kong Movies Stars II" Special Stamp Issue. I would like to extend our special thanks to Mr. Michael HUI, the Life Honourary President of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild for officiating today's ceremony.
Our film industry is influential not only in Hong Kong but also in Southeast Asia. The talent of our local artists grows to impress western film operators and some even take part in Hollywood movies. For examples, Mr. CHOW Yun-fat and Miss Michelle YEOH who starred in the winning film of four Oscars "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" are famous Hong Kong movie stars. Most thrilling about the 73rd Oscar Academy Awards this year is that the winners of "Best Cinematography Award" Mr. Peter PAU and "Best Art Direction Award" Mr. Tim YIP are Hong Kong filmmakers, proving that we have world class people in the industry. On behalf of Hongkong Post, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all who have made contributions to the development of our film industry.
In recognition of the talents of our late artists, Hongkong Post issued the first series of special stamps on movie stars on 15 November 1995. The second series issued today features eight eminent movie stars in four unbeatable pairs. They are Ng Cho-fan and Pak Yin; Sun Ma Si-tsang and Tang Bik-wan; Cheung Wood-yau and Wong Man-lei; MAK Bing-wing and FUNG Wong-nui. While celebrating their achievement as talented artists, let's not forget that they have made valuable contribution to the film industry of Hong Kong. To match the theme of this set of special stamps, a specially-designed double perforations are applied. The inner curve-shaped perforation gives an impression of viewing the actors and actresses being depicted on a theatre screen commonly found in the 60s. I hope you would like this set of stamps.
Thank you.
End/Sunday, April 8, 2001
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