Opening Speech to the Hong Kong-Asia Screenings
Dr. Patrick Ho, Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Date: April 02, 2002

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Nothing pleases me more than to be able to welcome you to the opening of Hong Kong Asian Screenings, a distinguished film event of Asia, tonight.

Earned by the creative hard-work of our film-makers, film industry of Hong Kong has established significant status in the world. The success behind the screen is not only attributed to wise investors and high technology, but also the resourceful Hong Kong film-making team. And by Hong Kong film-makers we don't mean just people born in Hong Kong, but including people around the world who take Hong Kong as their basis for film production and investment.

Hong Kong Arts Development Council shares the same strength of mind with them. We support a series of film productions that have won prizes and recognition in local and overseas film festival. We have a close tide with our partners to create a better environment for Hong Kong film development. Organizing the Hong Kong Asia Screenings is definitely a drastic step for HKADC to gather international distributors under the same umbrella to enhance the visibility of Hong Kong film production and throughout the Asian Pacific region. Within a month of invitation, we have an encouraging result that more than 160 international participants to join this event. Hong Kong continues to be a meeting place and production base for the film industry.

We are proud and grateful to have the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association as our strategic partner to promote and organize the Hong Kong Asian Screenings. And the assistance from all collaborating agencies and friends demonstrated their passion for film and the willingness to make this event successful. It is my hope that everyone of you will find that not only "enjoyable" or "relaxing", but, rather invigorating, tantalizing, exciting, and energizing, and not the least, help you to generate a dozens of ideas in doing film business with Hong Kong. Thank you very much.