The "Hong Kong Films' Day" reception, hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco on April 29 launched a series of celebration events to mark the 10 th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Hong Kong film directors Patrick Tam, Daniel Wu and artists Conroy Chan, Andrew Lin and Terence Yin joined Ms Doris Cheung, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco at the reception, prior to the screenings of two award-winning Hong Kong films, "After This Our Exile" and "Heavenly Kings" at the 50 th San Francisco International Film Festival.

At the reception, Ms Cheung said, "Being a cosmopolitan city where the East meets West, coupled with free flow of information and talents, Hong Kong has been the place for talents from all over the world to unleash their creativity and pursue their dreams. "

The film industry is a major component of Hong Kong 's creative industries. "To provide a conducive environment for our film industry to thrive, the Hong Kong Government has been investing in first class infrastructure and creating new opportunities."

"On infrastructure, the Hong Kong Cyberport provides state-of-the-art facilities to support the development of digital entertainment. On opportunities, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between Hong Kong and China provides preferential treatment to Hong Kong products and service providers, including film production and distribution," Ms Cheung said.

She said that it was an honor to have Hong Kong directors and artists join this special occasion, not only to celebrate the "Hong Kong Films' Day", but also to kick off a series of celebration events to mark the 10 th anniversary of the establishment of HKSAR. The celebration calendar runs from April to November this year, which covers a wide array of activities including celebratory events, business conferences, TV programs, cultural performances, roving exhibitions, and community wide contests to be staged in various major cities in the western part of the United States.

To get the message across to a wider audience, joint promotions will be held with TV and print media to promote Hong Kong and celebrate the 10 th anniversary. The promotions will come in different formats, including TV programs, print production, community-wide competition and contests in which the public can participate and win chances to see Hong Kong firsthand. On TV programs, a special documentary is being produced to introduce the different aspects of the vibrant city, including our culture, people, business environment and opportunities, as well as technology and infrastructural development.

"Over the summer months, we will also organize a leaflet design competition, encouraging 10 th graders to conduct research and write stories about Hong Kong , its people and eventually design a leaflet to enter a competition," Ms Cheung said.

"The public will not only learn about the history and latest developments of Hong Kong through our promotions. They may be able to win prizes by entering contests."

On the business front, the Office will organize a major business conference in San Francisco in the fourth quarter of 2007 to showcase Hong Kong 's position as a leading financial center. In addition to prominent speakers from Hong Kong, CEOs of leading financial institutions in the US, experts in the financial field, and representatives from major trade associations and chambers will also be invited to address the conference.

"As San Francisco is the financial hub on the west coast of the US, it's the ideal location for our business conference. We expect that the conference will generate a lot of interest in Hong Kong, and an attendance of about 400," Ms. Cheung said.

On the cultural front, the Office has invited the Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company to stage a special performance in San Francisco in October 2007. Furthermore, a HKSAR 10 th anniversary race will be featured in the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival to be held in September 2007. A "Hong Kong booth" will be set up during the festival where visitors can participate in tailor-made games to test their general knowledge of Hong Kong.
"In addition to San Francisco, celebration activities will be staged in other major cities in the western part of the US, including Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; and Dallas, Texas, "Ms. Cheung said.

" Hong Kong is always full of energy and action. Through the array of activities, we want you to experience the diversity and vibrancy of this unique city across the Pacific."