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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, continued his visit in Wuhan today (April 28). Mr So attended the opening ceremonies of "2012 Hubei Wuhan Hong Kong Week cum 2012 Hong Kong Trendy Products Expo, Wuhan", "Creative Hong Kong Exhibition" and "Hong Kong Films Retrospective" to promote the creative products and relevant industries of Hong Kong. He also met leaders of Wuhan.
This morning, Mr So, together with the Vice Governor of the Peopleˇ¦s Government of Hubei Province, Mr Tian Chengzhong, officiated at the opening ceremony of "2012 Hubei Wuhan Hong Kong Week cum 2012 Hong Kong Trendy Products Expo, Wuhan".
Delivering his speech during the ceremony, Mr So said, "Hong Kong has been the major source of foreign investment to Hubei, accounting for over 50% of the total amount. The scope of investment broadly covers agricultural, manufacturing, real estate, commerce and trade, as well as logistics industries. I believe that Hubei and Hong Kong will continue to seize opportunities to further enhance the co-operation between the two places."
"Hubei Wuhan Hong Kong Week" aims to showcase Hong Kongˇ¦s trendy design and creativity, with "2012 Hong Kong Trendy Products Expo, Wuhan" as one of its highlights. The expo enhances Hubei people's awareness of Hong Kong brands. The organisation of this event is in line with the Mainland policy of growing domestic demand. It also deepens economic and trade cooperation and exchange between Hong Kong and Hubei.
Mr So later on gave his speech at the opening of "Creative Hong Kong Exhibition". He said, "Hong Kong has been spending enormous efforts in developing the six industries where we enjoy advantages. Cultural and creative industry is one of them. We attach great importance to the development of design and creative industries. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has designated this year as Hong Kong Design Year. Our creative industry flourishes well, with comics and animation pieces gaining high acclaim internationally."
The exhibition features several giant comics models originated from Hong Kong. In addition, visitors are able to experience a wonderful "tour of Hong Kong comics and animation" with Hong Kong artists' demonstration of their drawing techniques. The Hong Kong Tourism Board also introduces tourist information to Hubei people in the exhibition.
Afterwards, Mr So met the Deputy Mayor of Wuhan Municipal People's Government, Mr Shao Weimin, to exchange views on the latest developments of the two cities.
In the afternoon, Mr So officiated at the "Hong Kong Films Retrospective" opening ceremony. He said,"Since the implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the number of Hong Kong-Mainland film co-productions has grown rapidly and the scale of production is huge. In 2011, six out of the top 10 domestic box office films on the Mainland were Hong Kong-Mainland co-productions. This reflects the impact of Hong Kong films and film practitioners on the Mainland market. I wish more fruitful results will be achieved through collaborations between the two places."
Film-making is one of the crucial components of Hong Kong cultural and creative industry. Thirteen renowned Hong Kong films from 1960s to recent years are on show at the Retrospective, allowing movie-goers there to experience the nostalgic charm of Hong Kong films.
Since the "Hubei Hong Kong Week" was held in 2005, "Hubei Wuhan Hong Kong Week" is the largest economic and trade exchange event in Wuhan jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the People's Government of Hubei Province. The event not only covers areas of economic and trade, culture and tourism, it also features activities in different locations of Wuhan for citywide enjoyment.
Mr So will return to Hong Kong tonight.
Ends/Saturday, April 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:22
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