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The following is the transcript of the media session given by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, on the film industry in relation to CEPA at the lobby of the Central Government Offices (Main Wing) this evening (June 25):
Mr Tung: Director Ng See-yuen and other film directors have emphasised to me many times the importance of the Mainland market to Hong Kong films. They know that CEPA is about to be signed. So we just had a very interesting chat. The point being made is to make sure we are doing our best to secure the best terms for our film industry.
I told Mr Ng, Ms Shi and Miss Mui that in our discussions with the Central Government, we have reached some initial consensus. Chinese films made in Hong Kong may enter the Mainland market without quota restrictions. This is a huge breakthrough. Films jointly produced by Hong Kong and the Mainland may be distributed on the Mainland as Mainland films - another breakthrough. The proportion of Hong Kong crew members in such joint productions may be increased, increased very substantially; and movie stories need not to be Mainland related. These are very important breakthroughs for the Hong Kong film industry.
I personally like to see films, but since I have become the Chief Executive, I don't have so many chances to see films. But recently I have seen "The Hero" and "Infernal Affairs". Both are wonderful and very attractive movies. In fact I really feel Hong Kong films have huge potential. Our film makers, or directors, our producers, scriptwriters, and all those who are involved in the film industry are talented and creative. And I hope that what we are doing today in our discussions with the Mainland, if successfully concluded on Sunday, will create a new environment for the film industry to move forward. It is a huge market on the Mainland and I hope our film industry will seize upon it. It will bring new vitality to our economy also.
Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
End/Wednesday, June 25, 2003
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