Speech by CE at opening ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2011 (English only) (with photos/video)

Speech by CE at opening ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2011 (English only) (with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the opening ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2011 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening (March 21):

Ms Ma Li, Mr Jack So, Mr Tony Leung, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

    Good evening.

     It's my great pleasure to welcome you all to the opening of the 7th Entertainment Expo Hong Kong.  An especially warm welcome to our friends from around the world.

     Comprising 10 major events over more than three weeks, the Expo profiles in a creative way the latest developments in major sectors of the entertainment business.

     It includes the glitz and glamour of the 5th Asian Film Awards – also known as "Asia's Oscars". There is also FILMART which has attracted a record of 600 exhibitors this year.

     For the first time this year we have a Pan-European pavilion and a pavilion representing the entertainment capital of the world, the United States.

     Other "firsts" include a Cambodia pavilion as well as two new events.  They are the Hong Kong Asian Pop Music Festival and the Asia Rainbow TV Awards.

     Please do take a look.

     The Hong Kong Government has been supporting the Entertainment Expo since its launch in 2005.

     This year, the Government is providing total sponsorship to the tune of some HK$45 million.  We do this mainly through our Film Development Fund and our CreateSmart Initiative.

     Beyond sponsorship, the Government ensures a vibrant social setting for our creative industries to flourish.  Our people keenly appreciate arts and culture.  Free flows of information, ideas and talent represent key elements of our cherished values.

     This, together with our location in the heart of East Asia, makes Hong Kong an unrivaled entry point to the entertainment industry of Mainland China.

     Among other things, our unique free trade arrangement with the Mainland, what we call CEPA, promotes cross-boundary collaboration in film.  CEPA facilitates co-productions with Mainland art and film houses.  This facility provides an effective avenue to break into the vast China entertainment market.

     Most of all, this Expo makes for a great networking platform for professionals across a broad spectrum of the entertainment industry.  Please do make the most of the events to learn more about the opportunities for the industry in this region, and strike up new business partnerships in the Mainland and around the world.

     I congratulate Mr Jack So and his team at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for organising this spectacular Expo.

     Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure you are all eager to get on with the real entertainment.  So it only remains for me to wish you all a very successful Entertainment Expo and our visitors a wonderful stay here in Asia's world city.

     Thank you.

Ends/Monday, March 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:52

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