The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) gave formal recognition to 19 artists, arts organisations, schools and business organisations in recognition of their unstinting support and contribution to the arts development in Hong Kong at today's award presentation ceremony at the Theatre of the Hong Kong City Hall.

The ceremony was officiated by Mr Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government and Mr Tsang Tak-sing, Secretary for Home Affairs. Their presence greatly demonstrated their support to the local arts sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, appraised the tireless efforts of local artists, arts groups, schools and business organisations in fostering the arts development in Hong Kong. He said, "It is an award scheme truly belongs to the local arts community. By conferring awards on distinguished artists and arts groups, we aim at raising their social status and at the same time, encouraging the community to actively support, participate in and sponsor arts endeavours."

The Award Scheme has six categories. It includes the award's highest honour – the Honorary Award, the Award for Arts Achievement for individual artists, the Award for Outstanding Young Artist for young talents, the Award for Arts Education for schools and organisations who have outstanding achievement in promoting arts education, the Award for Arts Promotion and the Award for Arts Sponsorship for individuals and organisations who have contributed significantly in promoting and supporting arts activities. In addition to a trophy, each recipient of the Award for Outstanding Young Artist will receive a cash award of $20,000 for further studies or artistic creation.

Among the awardees' list, the Honorary Award, with highest honour, will be conferred for the first time on arts master with continued and significant contribution to the art scene in Hong Kong. This year, the Honorary Award will be presented to the master of Cantonese opera - Ms Pak Suet-sin. Over the last 60 years, she has made tremendous efforts in promoting and reforming the traditional artform. Her contributions to the development of Cantonese opera are immeasurable.

The Award for Arts Achievement went to Mr Leon Tong (Music), Mr Kong Kai-ming (Visual Arts), Mr Andy Wong (Dance), Mr Wong Siu-hop (Xiqu) and Mr Tang Shu-wing (Drama), while the Award for Arts Sponsorship went to Swire Pacific Limited and Sino Group.

At the ceremony, Mr Ma also briefly outlined the future development directives of the ADC, with emphasis on nurturing young talents and small-to-medium sized arts groups. In addition, the ADC will continue to strengthen the communication and exchange with the mainland counterparts, with an aim to explore development opportunities for local artists and arts groups.

Following the implementation of the West Kowloon Cultural District Development Project, Mr Ma said the ADC will further strengthen the work on promoting art at the community level, arousing public interest and participation in various arts activities. In the near future, ADC will organise a series of community arts project to bring art closer to the general public, creating a favourable environment for artistic pursuits.

Mr Ma also revealed that there is plan to turn the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards into an annual event and will become an important fixture in the Hong Kong arts calendar.

To enlighten the ceremony, performances were staged by Mr Chin Kwok-wai and his students, and Mr Andy Wong.

Special thanks were extended to the Chief Adjudication Panel and Advisory Panels for their efforts in the adjudication process, as well as Radio Television Hong Kong and Ming Pao Weekly for their support in promoting the event.

The award presentation ceremony will be produced into a 30-min TV episode to be broadcasted at 7pm on ATV Home on 28 April 2008.

Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2007 Awardees List

Honorary Award
Pak Suet-sin
Award for Arts Achievement
Music:	Tong Shiu-wai, Leon
Visual Arts:	Kong Kai-ming
Dance:	Wong Ting-lam, Andy
Xiqu:	Wong Siu-hop
Drama:	Tang Shu-wing
Award for Outstanding Young Artist
Literary Arts:	Pun Kwok-ling, Lawrence
Music:	Chin Kwok-wai
Visual Arts:	Cheung Wan-man, Amy
Film and Media Arts:	Hung Keung
Dance:	Xing Liang
Xiqu:	Liu Hong-wah
Drama:	Cheung Kwok-wai
Arts Criticism:	Lau Kin-wah
Award for Arts Education
School category:	Yan Chai Hospital No.2 Secondary School
Non-school category:	Theatre Ensemble
Award for Arts Promotion
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Award for Arts Sponsorship
Swire Pacific Limited
Sino Group