新聞稿 即時發布 「2016亞洲傑出女性獎」今揭曉 (2016年1月19日,香港)- 中國日報與亞洲新聞聯盟(ANN)合辦之「2016亞洲傑出女性獎」頒獎典禮今日於香港會議展覽中心舉行。來自中國內地、香港和澳門特別行政區、泰國及馬來西亞的八位傑出女性獲此殊榮。與此同時,中國日報亞洲領袖圓桌論壇第五年攜手亞洲金融論壇,舉辦題為“亞洲女性領袖:變革推動者、創新者及企業家”的專題研討會,邀獲獎者分享成功之道,同與會人士分享成功經驗,探討女性應如何主導自己的人生,為社會做出貢獻。 「2016亞洲傑出女性獎」是首個由國際媒體為亞洲女性領導者專設的獎項。為彰顯亞洲女性之卓越職業貢獻與社會影響力,中國日報與亞洲新聞聯盟(ANN)聯合發起該獎項,冀以獲獎女性為亞洲工商業、專業工作、公共及社會服務、娛樂、康體、文化等各界樹立榜樣。八位獲獎者均在其工作領域內具備充足能力及取得非凡成就,對社會有顯著影響。 本屆獲獎者有(按英文姓氏首字母排序): • 香港交易及結算所有限公司董事總經理、產品發展部主管白碧梅女士 • 泰國Siam Piwat有限公司行政總裁查塔堤‧查切庫爾女士 • 信德集團有限公司董事總經理、美高梅中國控股有限公司聯席董事長及執行董事何超瓊女士, JP • 馬來西亞綠野集團行政總裁李靜雯女士 • 香港特別行政區政府環境局副局長陸恭蕙女士 • 證券及期貨事務監察委員會高級總監及風險及策略主管比妮‧諾藍女士 • 摩根大通董事總經理、亞太地區副主席李晶女士 • 寰亞傳媒集團有限公司著名演員及歌手楊千嬅小姐 本次典禮邀請到香港貿易發展局主席羅康瑞先生,GBS, JP擔任頒獎嘉賓。中國日報社編委兼亞太分社社長周立先生及香港貿易發展局副總裁葉澤恩先生致歡迎辭,亞洲新聞聯盟執行董事PanaJanviroj先生致頒獎辭。 聯合國近期一份報告指出,亞太地區因女性在職場中的限制,每年所蒙受的經濟損失預計達900億美元之巨。雖然中國及亞洲多個新興經濟體迅速發展,但女性於職場遠未能一展抱負,充分發揮對社會的貢獻。女性的參與及領導,無論於私營企業或公共機構,均屬競爭力及成功之關鍵。本次頒獎禮及研討會為亞洲傑出女性提供了一個交流平臺,除探討女性如何於工作崗位充分發揮及實現潛力,更深層探討社會應如何助力女性,使其成為變革推動者、創新者、企業家及領導者,跨越「性別鴻溝」。 香港交易及結算所有限公司董事總經理、產品發展部主管白碧梅女士講述了自己的職業經歷,並且指出在香港有百分之三十的已婚女性為了孩子、老人或者其他家庭責任而離開職場,但是大多數女性還是希望擁有事業。 泰國Siam Piwat有限公司行政總裁查塔堤‧查切庫爾女士認為泰國女性非常幸運,因為從二十年前到現在,在政府機構、銀行業等各個領域一直都有女性領導者的身影。她表示女性不僅承擔著女兒、妻子、母親的責任,還承擔著對整個社會的責任。 信德集團有限公司董事總經理、美高梅中國控股有限公司聯席董事長及執行董事何超瓊女士, JP認為自己能夠站到今天的位置其實付出了很多,每一點都極力做到最好,但是也證明瞭自己,感到非常欣慰。她表示女性在職場和在家庭都會付出很多,因為她們總想著照顧到所有方面。 馬來西亞綠野集團行政總裁李靜雯女士分享了自己如何一步步在職場發展到今天的經歷,她表示自己會選擇以成績而不是時間來評估員工的工作表現,這樣為女性員工帶來公平的機會去展現自己。 香港特別行政區政府環境局副局長陸恭蕙女士作為唯一一位政治領域的獲獎者講述了自己的職業經歷,她表示自己在不同的文化背景中成長起來,這樣的成長經歷讓她有著極強的適應能力。 證券及期貨事務監察委員會高級總監及風險及策略主管比妮‧諾藍女士除了分享自己的經歷外,還給女性分享了兩點建議:首先,如果女性想要一份事業,千萬不要怕冒險;其次,即使女性做了母親以後,也要找回平衡和支撐自己的系統。 摩根大通董事總經理、亞太地區副主席李晶女士講述了自己從北京到美國再到香港的發展經歷,她表示對年輕女性而言,受良好的教育很重要,並且找到屬于自己的自信更加重要。 寰亞傳媒集團有限公司著名演員及歌手楊千嬅小姐表示自己的職業生涯一路走來多虧了家人的支持,有家人做強大的後盾是自己有今天成績的關鍵。 中國日報社擁有報紙、網站、移動客戶端、臉譜、推特、微博、微信、電子報等十餘種媒介平台,全媒體用戶總數累計約4100萬;發行量90萬份,其中海外60萬份;網站日均訪問量(PV)5200萬,全球移動客戶端用戶達600萬;在海外,通過每月發行400餘萬份海外供版的《中國觀察報》(China Watch),直達《華爾街日報》、《華盛頓郵報》、《每日電訊報》、《費加羅報》、加拿大《環球郵報》、泰國《民族報》等美、歐、亞主流讀者群。 中國日報亞洲領袖圓桌論壇(www.cdroundtable.com)是一個由亞洲國家和地區的政、商、學界領袖和社會精英參與的高端對話和交流平臺,圍繞亞洲地區經濟、商業、產業和社會發展等具有戰略影響的重要議題展開討論,至今在港、澳和亞太多國已經舉辦了40餘屆,逾萬名決策精英參與。 亞洲新聞聯盟是全球最大和最活躍的國際媒體聯盟,包括19個亞洲國家和地區的22家媒體。該聯盟以「亞洲人報導亞洲」之理念,將世界各地之國際新聞及事件傳播給讀者及一般公眾。聯盟成員報紙總發行量1500萬份,覆蓋亞洲地區6000萬讀者,每月網絡媒體瀏覽量近19億次。
2016-01-19The film industry generates enormous amounts of intellectual property (IP), which has benefited Hong Kong greatly over the years. The Chinese mainland, on the other hand, is only now starting to tap into the economic benefits generated beyond the box office, a China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable heard on Dec 3. The issue of movie-related IP and the benefits it can generate for businesses and economies was at the heart of the discussion during the event titled The Strategic Implications for Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the IP Era. What emerged at the roundtable event — part of the fifth Business of IP Asia forum which took place in Hong Kong on Dec 3 and 4 — was a discussion about the need for the industry in the Chinese mainland to find more revenue channels for IP. There are also opportunities for Hong Kong, which is well positioned to act as a “super-connector” between the mainland and the rest of the world. In May, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government launched a plan to invest HK$200 million ($25.8 million) in a Film Development Fund to support the development of the industry. Hong Kong has an entrenched legal framework, said Zhou Li, an editorial board member of the China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific. “This is an opportunity for Hong Kong to take advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Zhou, referring to plans proposed by President Xi Jinping to revive ancient trading routes between China and the West. “When it comes to the collaboration among belt and road countries in moviemaking … the possibilities are immense.” These include opportunities for production, marketing and investment, all of which require IP agreements among countries. The numbers coming from China are “simply mind-boggling”, said Michael Ellis, president and managing director for Asia Pacific at the Motion Picture Association. Box office revenues in China of 29.6 billion yuan ($4.6 billion) in 2014 were 10 times the 2.9 billion yuan recorded in 2005, and revenues are already higher in 2015. By 2017, box office revenues should surpass those of the United States to become the largest box office market in the world. In Hong Kong, the box office continues to grow, up by 23.3 percent in the last five years to $212.4 million in 2014 from $172.3 in 2010. Even with these large revenues, the number of film screens in both the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong are but a fraction of those in the United States. In the mainland there are about 22 screens for every 1 million people, 30 in Hong Kong and 120 in the US. And there are challenges in China for international moviemakers, who have to work with caps on the number of films that are released and domestic competition. There are about 700 films made every year in the Chinese mainland, of which just 200 are widely released to the national box office, and as much as 80 to 90 percent of revenues for films come from the box office. This is not the case in Hollywood, however, as a lot of income is derived from merchandising and franchises. “IP is important … There is an increased focus in China to protect IP,” said Ellis. “There is more cooperation between the screen industry, the technology industry and the government. “Hong Kong is really built off a robust IPR regime,” he added, referring to IP rights. This is backed by both government policy and resources to enforcement agencies that work with both outreach and surveillance efforts while tax incentives for production and post-production help support the industry. Hong Kong has traditionally been a major supplier of both television and film content, particularly to the Chinese market, said Percy Fung, production director at Digital Magic, a film production company. “Hong Kong, as a free port, has for a long time been serving content owners around the world,” said Fung, who is also a board member of the Hong Kong Film Awards. “Whatever orders come into Hong Kong overnight we can ship them around the world. Hong Kong has a long history of service to Hollywood movies and movies of Asia.” Fung added that the major issue for the industry in Hong Kong is how to sell movies, especially those from the mainland, to the world. For movie studios, IP protection is important, particularly at a time when studios around the world are trying to get into the market. “A few years ago, copyright in China meant the right to copy,” said William Pfeiffer, CEO of Dragongate Entertainment, which is backed by giant entertainment company Lionsgate. “That has changed.” Much of the change has come from the evolution of the industry in China. Many of the companies that use content or license films to show in China are now listed on stock exchanges. This evolution translates into greater transparency. “What they are trying to do is pretty similar to the Hollywood studio environment,” said Pfeiffer, who has made large investments in China through various subsidiaries. “You are finding money from China going into Hollywood.” Capital is also flowing both ways, with foreign studios looking to tap into the huge Chinese box office and Chinese investors looking to break into foreign markets and studios. “In addition to film, the TV market is an important landscape,” said Pfeiffer. “The online video distribution business is big and getting bigger. The video-on-demand business is also important.” For example, Dragongate has a deal with e-commerce giant Alibaba, and film-streaming website Netflix is trying to find a way into China. The mobile business is also increasingly important in the market, while theme parks — with Disney leading the charge — emerge as important drivers of revenue alongside merchandising and digital content. “Chinese companies are starting to understand the value of their IP,” Pfeiffer said. “China makes a $200 million film and everybody is going to want to see it. There is money being lost to piracy.” Going forward, however, more Chinese IP will come under pressure from greater demand and more piracy of domestic content. It will also face pressures to perform better financially. A few decades ago, the film industry was controlled by the government but about a decade ago, private film ventures first emerged. Then about five years ago, more foreign capital began to enter the market. The result, said April Ye, CEO of the China arm of Film Finances, Inc, was a need for more risk control. The 50-year-old company is the largest in the world focused on the film completion guarantee business. Originally based in the United Kingdom, the company expanded globally and is now looking to tap into a new and generally unexplored market. What the company does is guarantee to investors that films are completed on time. Film Finances opened its first office in Shanghai in May. “This is something that is brand new for China,” said Ye. “People say that China is not ready yet, but I say ‘we can’t wait until everything is ready’ to grow with the market and help build the system.” In more developed markets, a well-established producer system is in place that does not yet exist in the Chinese mainland. As movies become commercial products with big value, there is a greater need for a more transparent standard system. Ye has been working on co-productions in China for about 14 years. For more than two decades, she said, Hong Kong has been a bridge for the world into the Chinese mainland’s film industry. However, the opportunity for the Hong Kong film industry will be in bringing the Chinese mainland industry to the world. In the mainland, box office revenues are split between the big global blockbusters and domestic films. To ensure the industry in China grows, IP will have to be tracked through what lawyers call the “chain of title”, or ownership, said Jason Goldberg, a partner at international law firm Covington & Burling, and leader of the firm’s entertainment, sports and media practice in China. Much of Goldberg’s work focuses on the IP that goes into a film, rather than the IP generated by the film itself. “In China, as it turns out, this is a very challenging thing to do right now,” he said. The chain of title of the inputs — novels, stories or scripts — that go into movies is not always clean. The system in China is changing, but a lot of IP still exists under the old system. This means that determining who actually owns rights to a particular piece of IP can be complex. “People are very aware of the value of the film business in China right now,” said Goldberg. “The awareness is there but the structure and expertise to implement that awareness is still developing.” Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-12/11/content_15357640.html
2015-12-11As Chinese businesses see the importance of intellectual property amid the nation's continued restructuring of its economy, Hong Kong's role as an IP trading hub and the "super-connector" between the mainland and the world will expand, said the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The fifth Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum was held in Hong Kong last week. IP trading refers to the buying, selling and transferring of IP rights under mutually agreed terms. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said at the forum that Hong Kong's outstanding business environment, robust IP protection system and its role as China's "super-connector" will help promote the city as a regional IP trading hub. Mainland enterprises have filed more than one-third of global patent applications, accounting for 60 percent of the total number of applications in Asia, said Raymond Yip, HKTDC deputy executive director. "Mainland companies are seeing tremendous demand for IP trading," Yip said, noting that with the imminent launch of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), technology and innovation will be the main theme of the country's economic development over the next five years. Hong Kong, endowed with extensive business connections, a sound legal system, a cluster of IP owners and intermediaries as well as a robust financial market, is poised to be the ideal IP trading platform in Asia. Film industry leaders at an Asia Leadership Roundtable forum urged the mainland movie industry to gear up for an intellectual property protection drive so that it can reap the benefits of a diversified revenue stream when movie content crosses over to different new media. Hong Kong cements lead as IP hub "Being a gateway to the Chinese mainland and by extension, to the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is in a unique position of facilitating the traffic of IP-sharing exchange between the East and the West," said Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief at China Daily Asia Pacific. The Chinese mainland is poised to overtake the United States as the world's largest film market by 2017 and its market revenue is expected to grow by 20 times from 2004 to 2014, said Michael C. Ellis, president and managing director for the Asia-Pacific region at the Motion Picture Association. "The Chinese mainland's film market is too big to ignore," he said. However, while 89 percent of mainland movie companies' revenue comes from box-office takings, this is not the case in Hollywood, as US filmmakers can generate income from different sources including franchising and licensing, Ellis noted. "Movie companies should think long-term how IP protection can provide income in the future," said Jason Goldberg, a partner at law firm Covington & Burling LLP and leader of the firm's entertainment, sports and media practice in China. The panelists also expressed confidence that Hong Kong can act as a bridge between the mainland movie industry and Hollywood. "In the future, there will be opportunities for the Hong Kong movie industry to work closely with the mainland movie industry to bring Chinese movies to the world. I really believe, in the next five years, there will also be opportunities for big Chinese IP to go out to the world," said April Ye, chief executive officer at Film Finances Inc China. Oswald@chinadailyhk.com http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2015-12/09/content_22666595.htm
2015-12-09For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASE Unveiling the Strategic Implications for the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the “IP Era” DEC 03, 2015, Hong Kong – More than 300 delegates from the global movie industry today attended the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable on “The Strategic Implications for the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the “IP Era”’, held as part of the Business of IP Asia Forum. China Daily has again teamed up with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in co-organizing the session for such a significant event, riding on last year’s success. China’s entire film industry is moving up the value chain trying to catch up with Hollywood and the rest of the world. On the Chinese Mainland, investment in the movie sector and box-office gross has grown by leaps and bounds in each of the past few years. The annual pace of growth in 2015 is more than six times faster than the nation’s 7% GDP growth rate. Intellectual properties (IP) development and protection is now considered strategic and critical for the success and survival of China’s film business. The roundtable panelists shared their insightful views on the challenges and opportunities for China’s film industry in the “IP Era", Hong Kong’s strategic role in the nation’s film industry, as well as the collaboration between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in boosting the level of innovation, professionalism and consumer satisfaction in the movie industry. Mr. ZHOU Li, Editorial Board Member, China Daily Group and Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, China Daily Asia Pacific stressed the indivisibility of IP and the film industry on both the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, as well as the potential of China’s movie sector as a whole. He extended a warm welcome to thedistinguished panelists, including Mr. Michael C. ELLIS, President & Managing Director of Asia-Pacific Region Motion Picture Association (MPA); Mr. Percy FUNG, Production Director, Digital Magic Limited; Mr. William PFEIFFER, Chief Executive Officer, Dragongate Entertainment Ltd; Ms. April YE, CEO of Film Finances, Inc. China and Mr. Jason GOLDBERG, Partner of Covington & Burling LLP, who shared their executive insights on the opportunities and challenges for the film industry of the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong under the “IP era”. Mr. Michael C. ELLIS gave an insightful analysis of the future development of the Chinese film industry. “There are over 700 films made in China every year, but only about 200 of them get released. It’s an incredibly competitive market. So, the IP that sits behind what you create and what you own is incredibly valuable,” he said. Mr. Percy FUNG stressed Hong Kong’s key role in the development of the film industry, saying: “At this moment, Hong Kong’s movie industry is transforming. We are moving up ourselves to help China’s movies go out to the rest of the world.” Mr. William PFEIFFER shared his valuable thoughts on the film business: “If content is the king, then I would say the story or the script is the father of the king, because without the story or script, you cannot have a good movie or TV show. And that has always been an area where China is lacking,” he said. Ms. April YE said: “In the past five to ten years, Hong Kong has been a bridge between Hollywood and China, bringing Hollywood closer to the Chinese Mainland. In future, there are even greater opportunities for Hong Kong’s movie industry to work closely with that of the Chinese Mainland to bring Chinese movies to the world.” Mr. Jason GOLDBERG shared his thoughts on IP development :“People are very aware of the value of IP in the film business right now, and I think the larger and more sophisticated motion picture studios in China want to make properties that they can use in different ways.” About China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable The China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable is a by-invitation network of movers and shakers in Asia providing platforms for focused dialogue, issue investigation, and possible collective action on strategic issues relating to economic, business and social development in Asia. Our aim is to enhance communication and increase mutual understanding between China, Asian and Western countries. Roundtable events are held in major cities across Asia. (www.cdroundtable.com) Media Contact: Ms. Angel Kong Tel: (852) 34655431 Email: angelkong@chinadailyhk.com Follow us: @cdroundtable
2015-12-04The mainland movie industry should gear up for an intellectual property (IP) protection drive so that it can reap the benefits of a diversified revenue stream when movie content crosses over to different new media, the Asia Leadership Roundtable heard on Thursday. The panelists also expressed confidence that Hong Kong can act as a bridge between the mainland movie industry and Hollywood. In the future, there would be opportunities for the Hong Kong movie industry to bring mainland movies into the world market, they said. The roundtable forum, themed “The Strategic Implications for Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the IP Era”, was part of the fifth BIP Asia forum taking place on Thursday and Friday. Panelists representing the US and Hong Kong film industries, film finance companies and legal firms were invited to examine the likely business potential once the mainland movie industry beefed up its efforts in IP protection. “Being a gateway to the Chinese mainland and by extension to the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is in a unique position facilitating the traffic of IP-sharing exchange between the East and the West,” said Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief at China Daily Asia Pacific. “In terms of collaboration between Belt and Road countries (and regions) in moviemaking, there are big opportunities ranging from production to marketing. Certain movie companies on the Chinese mainland would make use of overseas companies’ powerful marketing tools.” “The Chinese mainland is poised to overtake the US as the world’s largest film market by 2017 and this market has registered 20 times revenue growth from 2004 to 2014. The Chinese mainland’s film market is too big to ignore,” said Michael C. Ellis, president and managing director for Asia Pacific region at Motion Picture Association. However, while 89 percent of mainland movie companies’ revenues come from box-office takings, this is not the case in Hollywood, as US filmmakers can generate income from different sources including franchising and licensing, Ellis noted. “IP as a valuable asset for film companies has not been exploited on the mainland. As making movies on the mainland is getting more expensive, they should consider whether it is enough just to have the box-office revenue,” Ellis pointed out. In a rapidly changing economy, the movie industry is increasingly becoming a commercial product. Hence a standardized and transparent procedure is required to ensure the money invested is well spent. Therefore mainland movie companies are also well-advised to maximize returns from investment. “Movie companies should think long-term how IP protection can provide income in the future,’ said Jason Goldberg, a partner at law firm Covington & Burling LLP and leader of the firm’s entertainment, sports and media practice in China. “The awareness of IP protection in the mainland movie industry is there, but the structure and expertise to implement that awareness is something that still needs to be developed.” “Nowadays when we are making films, we will invite those IP-related professionals to get involved in the story-designing process. These professionals may come from the industries of music, toy making, merchandising and advertising. We are looking at the IP aspect of the movies,” said Percy Fung Tze-cheong, production director of Digital Magic Ltd. The panelists at the roundtable also voiced confidence that Hong Kong can be a bridge to link the mainland movie industry and Hollywood. “In the future, there will be opportunities for the Hong Kong movie industry to work closely with the mainland movie industry to bring Chinese movies to the world. I really believe, in the next five years, there will also be opportunities for big Chinese IP to go out to the world,” said April Ye, chief executive officer at Film Finances Inc China. “There is a bright future for IP flowing into the mainland as well as going out from the mainland,” Dragongate Entertainment Ltd Chief Executive Officer William Pfeiffer said. “Mainland investors are looking for investment in the Hollywood film-making industry. At the same time, US movie companies are also looking for long-term partnerships to make Chinese films. Some filmmakers have greater budget and they want to get more Chinese culture relevance in their movies,” Pfeiffer added. “There are definitively opportunities for the mainland to build up its own movies. As mainland people want to see films played by locals and in their own language, the mainland audiences would like to see more Chinese films. The chance is there to build up great Chinese films in the next five years,” Ye from Film Finances Inc said. Contact the writer at oswald@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-12/04/content_15354048.html
2015-12-04Hong Kong’s role as an intellectual property (IP) trading hub will be further cemented as the mainland sees tremendous demand for IP trading due to its economic restructuring, says the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The Fifth Business of Intellectual Property Asia (BIP Asia) Forum, being held in Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday, has invited more than 2,000 IP professionals and industry players to this year’s event, with more than 80 exhibitors (IP owners, users and trading intermediaries) attending. Leung welcomed the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Francis Gurry, to attend the BIP Asia forum. He said that Hong Kong’s outstanding business environment, robust IP protection regime as well as our role as the “super-connector” between the mainland and the rest of the world would help promote the city as a regional IP trading hub. More than one-third of global patent applications have been filed by mainland enterprises, accounting for 60 percent of the total number of applications in Asia, according to Raymond Yip, HKTDC deputy executive director. “With the imminent launch of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), technology and innovation will be the main theme of the country’s economic development in the coming five years. Mainland companies are seeing tremendous demand for IP trading,” Yip said. “The business value of technology trading on the mainland is tipped to swell to 2 trillion yuan ($312.6 billion) in 2020 from 400 billion yuan recorded in 2010. Hong Kong currently is ranked as the mainland’s sixth technology import source.” Yip predicted that the Belt and Road Initiative, a national development strategy unveiled by President Xi Jinping in 2013 that aims to connect 4.4 trillion people from more than 60 countries and regions, will also stimulate demand for IP trading services from the SAR. “Design innovation is one of the intellectual niches in Hong Kong. All these designs can cross over to other goods and services as well, thus propelling an array of IP trading business opportunities to those Belt and Road Initiative-related business enterprises,” he added. Hong Kong, endowed with extensive business connections, a common law legal regime, a cluster of IP owners and intermediaries as well as a robust financing market, is poised to be the ideal IP trading platform in Asia. “Every year, there are 4,000 trademark applications, 13,000 patent applications, 600 short-term patent applications and 1,000 registered design applications being filed in Hong Kong,” said Ada Leung Ka-lai, director of intellectual property. “We are educating more local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other startups to be more aware of IP protection and trading,” she said. Kwong Chi-keung, a solicitor specializing as agents for trademarks and patents, said Hong Kong’s strength in legal arbitration can help bolster its IP trading hub status because legal action may be more expensive for companies to resolve IP infringement cases. “Lawsuit cases regarding IP protection of trademarks, patents and registered designs usually involve many companies from various countries (and regions). Because of the difference in the legal regimes of these markets, IP owners may find it very time consuming to engage in IP protection lawsuit cases. Moreover, IP owners may have to disclose details of commercial secrets in courts concerning their IP protection lawsuit cases whereas they are unwilling to do so,” Kwong said. “Many countries (and regions) are studying whether they can change their arbitration laws to resolve IP protection lawsuit cases, and Hong Kong is set to benefit from this trend,” he added. oswald@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/hknews/2015-12/04/content_15353945.html
2015-12-04新聞稿 中國日報論壇聚焦內地及香港電影業 在「知識產權世代」下的定位和策略 2015年12月3日,香港 –中國日報今日在香港舉辦題為「中國內地及香港電影業在知識產權世代下的定位和策略」的亞洲領袖圓桌論壇,吸引了逾300名業界領袖出席。 中國日報本次再度攜手亞洲知識產權營商論壇,舉辦專題論壇。本次論壇邀請到的演講嘉賓有美國電影協會亞太區總裁暨區域總監艾理善先生;香港天極數碼製作總監馮子昌先生;Dragongate Entertainment Ltd行政總裁William Pfeiffer先生;美國電影金融(中國)有限公司總裁葉禾卿女士以及科文頓•柏靈律師事務所合夥人伊宋先生。 中國電影過去十年中以年均30%的增幅領跑亞洲,2014年度票房達47億美元,為世界年度電影票房增長貢獻近八成,2015年的增幅更是勢不可擋。預計到今年底,票房收入有望達到63億美元。近年中國電影票房屢創佳績,冀與好萊塢齊名已非遙不可及。隨著電影業的蓬勃發展,保護知識產權愈顯重要。 中國日報社編委兼亞太分社社長周立先生在歡迎致辭中表示,中國內地的電影業飛速發展,香港作為中國內地與世界的“超級連絡人”,也會為中國的電影業帶來發展機遇。知識產權世代下,中國內地及香港的電影業發展趨勢是不斷向全球標準看齊,電影、投資及法律等有關知識產權的融合與發展將會為整個中國電影業帶來正面的影響。 論壇嘉賓就中國內地電影業在「知識產權世代」下將面臨的機遇與挑戰,香港電影業的策略性定位及發展方向等議題進行了精彩的討論。 美國電影協會亞太區總裁暨區域總監艾理善先生認為中國有望在2017年超越美國,成為全球票房第一大國。目前,電影業的知識產權在中國內地受到廣泛關注,香港的電影業也蓬勃發展。他相信,在未來,更加健全的版權保護機制將會不斷促進中國內地及香港的電影業去保護原創作品。 香港天極數碼製作總監馮子昌先生表示過去10年,香港電影業與內地的聯繫越來越緊密,不僅是電影製作方面,更多的是電影內容和劇本方面的合作。香港的電影業也在不斷改革,在全球化發展的大趨勢下,中國內地及香港對電影業的知識產權保護和發展也必將向國際化標準看齊。 Dragongate Entertainment Ltd行政總裁William Pfeiffer先生認為就電影業而言,好的電影離不開內容和劇本,這些也都屬於知識產權的範疇,而中國內地目前正缺少這方面的開發與保護。不過就知識產權的受關注程度來看,相信中國一定會有所突破,從而帶動整個電影業的發展。 美國電影金融(中國)有限公司總裁葉禾卿女士指出目前在中國內地,越來越多的投資者把目光轉向電影業,電影金融業就是要為電影投資方和電影製作方搭建一個平臺,這個平臺必須要關注到知識產權。電影內容的製作直接對電影的票房收入回報產生影響,就知識產權而言,中國內地開始逐漸關注這一重要元素,對中國電影業的長遠發展是有利的。 科文頓•柏靈律師事務所合夥人伊宋先生表示知識產權在各行各業都備受關注,就電影業而言,我們應該將這種知識產權的意識逐步系統化、制度化,這樣才可以保障電影業的實際利益。 中國日報亞洲領袖圓桌論壇(www.cdroundtable.com)是一個由亞洲國家和地區的政、商、學界領袖和社會精英參與的高端對話和交流平臺,圍繞亞洲地區經濟、商業、產業和社會發展等具有戰略影響的重要議題展開討論,至今在港、澳和亞太多國已經舉辦了近40屆,逾二萬名決策精英參與。 媒體垂詢:江小姐 電話:(852) 3465 5431 電子郵件:angelkong@chinadailyhk.com 關注我們: @cdroundtable
2015-12-04Although Hong Kong has positioned itself as the “super-connector” between the mainland and the world, it’s not enough, Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong affairs of the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, said on Wednesday. Speaking at a forum exploring opportunities for trade and investments as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hung said the SAR should actively participate in shaping new orders and standards for international trading in the new age of the Internet. One aspect of the Belt and Road Initiative is to help mainland companies break into foreign markets. However, many of them are not familiar with the idea of doing business abroad. Hung believes professionals from Hong Kong, having relatively greater exposure, could guide these enterprises. “We can leverage Qianhai and Shanghai as a channel for money to come in and out,” Hung said, “and also have professionals from Hong Kong help mainland companies go out.” Cross-border renminbi loans registered in Qianhai, which is part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, have reached about 100 billion yuan ($15.7 billion). Hung said he has observed many foreign companies, including Australian banks, going to the mainland to introduce their business. As it is mostly small companies offering professional services in Hong Kong, Hung urged the government to unite these into a combined presence to attract the attention of mainland companies, and not miss out on the opportunities. He said SAR officials had recently begun to take notice of the many opportunities in Qianhai. Earlier this month, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah led a group of Hong Kong businessmen to Qianhai to explore more economic opportunities and, last week, Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the annual meeting of the Qianhai advisory committee in Shenzhen. Hung told China Daily that the recent close communication between companies in Shenzhen and Hong Kong will broaden cooperation and explore new opportunities. However, he admitted that much work was needed to facilitate more efficient cooperation.Improving transportation, he said, was the “number one” priority. He expects more than 50,000 people from Qianhai will need to commute to Hong Kong daily in the near future — a demand which current transportation and customs facilities in the two cities are unable to meet. He proposed building an underwater railway from Hung Shui Kiu directly to Qianhai, especially since the water between Qianhai and Hung Shui Kiu is not very deep. He estimates the project will cost about 10 billion yuan. “Shenzhen will build a transportation hub in Qianhai with customs, inspection and quarantine departments,” Hung disclosed. grace@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-11/20/content_15347317.html
2015-11-20中国日报香港11月18日电(记者 周君君、柴华、周沫)中国日报今日在香港举办题为“一带一路,贸易投资新策略”的专题研讨会,深入探讨亚洲贸易及投资业在“一带一路”建设中的发展前景,吸引逾二百位业界精英人士参与。 中国日报是本港唯一连续两年与亚洲物流与航运会议合作的媒体。本次研讨会邀请到的演讲嘉宾有恒生银行有限公司执行董事兼环球银行及资本市场业务主管冯孝忠先生;香港理工大学中国商业中心主任陈文鸿博士;马尔代夫美佳航空公司商务总裁鲍迅捷先生及前海管理局香港事务首席联络官洪为民博士。 中国于2013年提出的“一带一路”战略,惠及60多个国家,为全球逾40亿人口带来深远影响。迄今为止,中国与“一带一路”周边国家签署的自由贸易项目总投资额超过2500亿美元,涉及基建、能源、运输等诸多领域,逐步形成一个经济带。 随着亚洲区域内基础设施建设及自由贸易持续增长,“一带一路”战略将进一步激发沿线国家及地区的发展潜能,消除贸易壁垒,促进区域经济联通。公营及私营机构需紧密合作,促进亚洲物流及航运业的长远发展。 香港作为全球最大的航空港,亦是珠三角地区重要空运枢纽,在“一带一路”建设中担当中国和世界的“超级联系人”。香港特别行政区行政长官梁振英在最近出访英国伦敦时表示,香港正积极与东盟十国洽谈自贸协议。 11月18日,中国日报于亚洲物流及航运会议举办题为“‘一带一路’贸易投资新策略”的专题研讨会,吸引逾二百位业界精英人士参与。图为论坛现场。(中国日报 郑尔奇摄) 恒生银行有限公司执行董事兼环球银行及资本市场业务主管冯孝忠先生阐述了四个业内外非常关注的有关“一带一路”的议题,包括“一带一路”与基建项目的发展前景等。他表示从短期来看,租赁和设备融资的需求将不断上升;但是在今后航运及航空方面的需求也会逐渐复兴。 香港理工大学中国商业中心主任陈文鸿博士系统解释阐述了“一带一路”的发展模式和前景,他认为,香港将会是中国内地与“一带一路”沿线国家的重要聚焦地,香港应抓住这一发展机遇。他强调,香港除了看向英国和欧洲的传统发展模式外,更应该与“一带一路”沿线国家多交流多沟通。 马尔代夫美佳航空公司商务总裁鲍迅捷先生表示南亚国家对“一带一路”发展非常感兴趣,香港作为重要的桥梁之地,应该发挥其关键的航空港作用。 前海管理局香港事务首席联络官洪为民博士指出香港的“超级联系人”角色非常重要,前海作为中国内地新兴发展自贸区,将会与香港一同构建贸易发展的新模式。 中国日报亚洲领袖圆桌论坛(www.cdroundtable.com)是一个由亚洲国家和地区的政、商、学界领袖和社会精英参与的高端对话和交流平台,围绕亚洲地区经济、商业、产业和社会发展等具有战略影响的重要议题展开讨论,至今在港、澳和亚太多国已经举办了40余届,逾万名决策精英参与。 (编辑:高晴)
2015-11-20Hong Kong is poised to play a role in offshore yuan financing, institutional intermediation, legal arbitration and other professional services provision to facilitate the Belt and Road Initiative, the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable heard on Wednesday. However, the city must learn fast, and the government needs to do much more than its competitors, in view of the Belt and Road Initiative which promises to be a game-changer, panelists at a forum said. The roundtable forum, themed “Belt and Road Initiative: Implications and Opportunities for Trade and Investments” — held as part of the Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference — took place on Nov 17 and 18. Various panelists from the banking, academic, aviation and regulatory sectors examined the opportunities and challenges ahead for Hong Kong. Proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is the national strategy that aims to enhance connectivity for 4.4 billion people from more than 60 economies with a gross economic volume of around $22 trillion. Since its announcement, more than $250 billion worth of infrastructure projects have been contracted. “Banks in Hong Kong need to revitalize the old-fashioned businesses, such as maritime cargo insurance, shipping finance and aircraft leasing, to capture businesses with more opportunities. The Belt and Road Initiative also involves Islamic financing and, luckily, the city has started this business, otherwise, we may be out of the game,” said Andrew Fung Hau-chung, executive director and head of global banking and markets at Hang Seng Bank. The world’s largest offshore yuan liquidity is also a niche area banks in Hong Kong can leverage on, Fung said. “It provides new opportunities for banks in Hong Kong to use the yuan for the liability. Hong Kong is lucky in this regard.” Academicians highlighted Hong Kong’s role in institutional intermediation and legal arbitration, besides financing. “Many Russian business firms have already come to Hong Kong to take advantage of the city’s deep connections and institutional framework,” said Thomas Chan Man-hung, head of the China Business Centre at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Mega Maldives Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Sandeep Bahl noted that aviation will provide an important connector to achieve people-to-people bond and cultural exchanges advocated by the Belt and Road Initiative. “Once we have people-to-people and cultural exchanges, these things will grow and then we have super-connection within five hours anywhere you go from Hong Kong and this may even get down to two-and-a-half hours,” Bahl told delegates at the roundtable. “The Belt and Road Initiative helps mainland enterprises’ capital and production capacity to go out, but these firms do not know much about foreign markets. Hong Kong can offer professional services in mergers and acquisitions, as well as financing and legal expertise, to help mainland companies go out,” Shenzhen Qianhai Authority’s Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong Affairs Witman Hung Wai-man noted. However, Hong Kong also faces various challenges ahead under the Belt and Road Initiative. “Hong Kong’s challenges lie in learning and re-engineering, that is to acquire new languages, knowledge and capabilities for non-Anglo-Saxon practices and civilizations, so that Hong Kong can upgrade local knowledge to provide intensive services by becoming an open platform for firms and talents from the Eurasian and South Asian countries,” Chan cautioned. Hong Kong should learn from London, Chan said. “See how London resurges to become the top financing center since 1950. We must take a holistic approach on how to improve our services,” he envisaged. People have to look at tax treaty/tax treatment regarding cross-border leasing activities, according to Fung. “We are left behind it,” he said. Hung said it was not enough for Hong Kong to just play “super-connector”. “In the Internet age, the business value decreases if we are only the intermediary. Hong Kong has to provide additional services related to various initiatives,” he added. Contact the writer at oswald@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-11/20/content_15347311.html
2015-11-20Hong Kong is in an advantageous position to provide financial support to enterprises trying to expand their business in countries that come within the ambit of the Belt and Road Initiative, said Andrew Fung Hau-chung, executive director and head of global banking and markets at Hang Seng Bank. With more than 60 countries and economies covered by the initiative, many businesses will require cross-border financing. “Hong Kong has a very good presence of international banks. Most of the large international banks have branches in Hong Kong,” Fung told China Daily in an exclusive interview. “Therefore, it is a good financing hub for making cross-border financing, (either) from the mainland to Central Asia or from the mainland to ASEAN,” said Fung. While Fung believes that banks in Hong Kong have already been offering comprehensive financial services to enterprises, he stressed that they still need to strengthen their services, as the Belt and Road Initiative and renminbi internationalization will create more demand for renminbi-based financing. “If customers start to use more renminbi in trade, then banks have to strengthen their capacity. For example, in the payment system, banks probably need to join the Cross-border Interbank Payment System for making payments because, in the past, most of the payments were made in either US dollars or euro.” Meanwhile, the SAR is facing increasing competition from mainland cities and other international financial centers such as London and Singapore, despite being the largest offshore renminbi center, Fung pointed out. Hong Kong used to be the only financial center, he noted, but now it has to compete with several others for a bigger slice of the cake. But he insisted that the Belt and Road Initiative will bring more benefits to Hong Kong as the demand for cross-border loans rises, with the SAR having an edge. Fung expects to see growing demand for equipment financing in the short term, followed by the revival of shipping and aircraft leasing in the medium term. Hong Kong used to be a big center for aircraft financing, said Fung, but the absence of tax treaties has led to a sharp drop in its competitiveness in the past few years. “Many countries have brought about tax reforms that make Hong Kong less competitive. So, we have to see if we could introduce some tax reforms that encourage cross-border leasing.” He urged the SAR government to play a bigger role by reviewing tax treatment for cross-border leasing to support the Belt and Road Initiative in the aspect of financing. sally@chinadailyhk.com Source:http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-11/20/content_15347318.html
2015-11-20For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASE Pundits explore opportunities for Asia under ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Nov 18, 2015, Hong Kong -Business and finance industry leaders gathered in Hong Kong for a special forum organized by China Daily to discuss the implications, as well as the opportunities for Asia’s trade and investment sectors created by the China-led “Belt and Road Initiative”. The forum, themed “Belt and Road Initiative”: Implications and Opportunities for Trade and Investments”, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, in conjunction with the Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC), which was attended by more than 300 delegates from across the continent’s trade, finance and logistics industries. China Daily has been the only media in Hong Kong that has co-organized similar dialogue sessions with ALMC for two consecutive years. The “Belt and Road Initiative”, first mooted by President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to enhance connectivity for 4.4 billion people from more than 60 countries. Since the announcement of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, a string of free trade agreements have been signed between China and countries and regions along the “Belt and Road” routes, involving more than US$250 billion worth of projects, ranging from railways to power plants. During a recent visit to London, The Honourable C Y Leung, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said Hong Kong is in talks with all the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a free trade agreement. Infrastructure development will also play a crucial role in removing barriers to trade among various countries, while Hong Kong, which is home to the world’s number one air-cargo hub, is concerned about airspace management in the Pearl River Delta region. With increased infrastructure construction and more free trade pacts on the way, the “Belt and Road initiative” will help to dismantle trade and investment barriers and enhance connectivity among nations along the routes. Public and private business sectors should work closely together to capitalize on these opportunities for their continued growth. The distinguished panelists at the China Daily forum included Mr. Andrew FUNG, JP, Executive Director and Head of Global Banking and Markets, Hang Seng Bank; Dr. Thomas CHAN, Head of China Business Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr. Sandeep BAHL, Chief Commercial Officer, Mega Maldives Airlines; and Dr. Witman HUNG, JP, Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong, Shenzhen Qianhai Authority. Mr. Fung gave an insightful analysis of the future development of the “Belt and Road” initiative. “In the short term, leasing and equipment financing will see the biggest immediate demand. In the medium term, I would see a revival of the shipping and aircraft-leasing business,” he said. Dr. Chan stressed Hong Kong’s prominent role in the “Belt and Road” initiative, saying: “Hong Kong should learn to go beyond its traditional knowledge of the UK or Europe. It should look at and learn more about other emerging countries along the ‘Belt and Road’.” Mr. Bahl shared his valuable thoughts on the aviation industry: “South Asian countries have been very active in pushing the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. The trade volume between China and the Maldives in past two years has tripled to US$200 million. The combined economies along the ‘Belt and Road’ represent a significant market not only for Hong Kong, but also all Asian countries,” he said. Dr. Hung said: “Hong Kong, being just a ‘super-connector’ is not enough. I think Hong Kong and the mainland together can help shape the new order and trading standards.” About China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable The China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable is a by-invitation network of movers and shakers in Asia providing platforms for focused dialogue, issue investigation, and possible collective action on strategic issues relating to economic, business and social development in Asia. Our aim is to enhance communication and increase mutual understanding between China, Asian and Western countries. Roundtable events are held in major cities across Asia. (www.cdroundtable.com)
2015-11-19新聞稿 即時發布 「2016亞洲傑出女性獎」今揭曉 (2016年1月19日,香港)- 中國日報與亞洲新聞聯盟(ANN)合辦之「2016亞洲傑出女性獎」頒獎典禮今日於香港會議展覽中心舉行。來自中國內地、香港和澳門特別行政區、泰國及馬來西亞的八位傑出女性獲此殊榮。與此同時,中國日報亞洲領袖圓桌論壇第五年攜手亞洲金融論壇,舉辦題為“亞洲女性領袖:變革推動者、創新者及企業家”的專題研討會,邀獲獎者分享成功之道,同與會人士分享成功經驗,探討女性應如何主導自己的人生,為社會做出貢獻。 「2016亞洲傑出女性獎」是首個由國際媒體為亞洲女性領導者專設的獎項。為彰顯亞洲女性之卓越職業貢獻與社會影響力,中國日報與亞洲新聞聯盟(ANN)聯合發起該獎項,冀以獲獎女性為亞洲工商業、專業工作、公共及社會服務、娛樂、康體、文化等各界樹立榜樣。八位獲獎者均在其工作領域內具備充足能力及取得非凡成就,對社會有顯著影響。 本屆獲獎者有(按英文姓氏首字母排序): • 香港交易及結算所有限公司董事總經理、產品發展部主管白碧梅女士 • 泰國Siam Piwat有限公司行政總裁查塔堤‧查切庫爾女士 • 信德集團有限公司董事總經理、美高梅中國控股有限公司聯席董事長及執行董事何超瓊女士, JP • 馬來西亞綠野集團行政總裁李靜雯女士 • 香港特別行政區政府環境局副局長陸恭蕙女士 • 證券及期貨事務監察委員會高級總監及風險及策略主管比妮‧諾藍女士 • 摩根大通董事總經理、亞太地區副主席李晶女士 • 寰亞傳媒集團有限公司著名演員及歌手楊千嬅小姐 本次典禮邀請到香港貿易發展局主席羅康瑞先生,GBS, JP擔任頒獎嘉賓。中國日報社編委兼亞太分社社長周立先生及香港貿易發展局副總裁葉澤恩先生致歡迎辭,亞洲新聞聯盟執行董事PanaJanviroj先生致頒獎辭。 聯合國近期一份報告指出,亞太地區因女性在職場中的限制,每年所蒙受的經濟損失預計達900億美元之巨。雖然中國及亞洲多個新興經濟體迅速發展,但女性於職場遠未能一展抱負,充分發揮對社會的貢獻。女性的參與及領導,無論於私營企業或公共機構,均屬競爭力及成功之關鍵。本次頒獎禮及研討會為亞洲傑出女性提供了一個交流平臺,除探討女性如何於工作崗位充分發揮及實現潛力,更深層探討社會應如何助力女性,使其成為變革推動者、創新者、企業家及領導者,跨越「性別鴻溝」。 香港交易及結算所有限公司董事總經理、產品發展部主管白碧梅女士講述了自己的職業經歷,並且指出在香港有百分之三十的已婚女性為了孩子、老人或者其他家庭責任而離開職場,但是大多數女性還是希望擁有事業。 泰國Siam Piwat有限公司行政總裁查塔堤‧查切庫爾女士認為泰國女性非常幸運,因為從二十年前到現在,在政府機構、銀行業等各個領域一直都有女性領導者的身影。她表示女性不僅承擔著女兒、妻子、母親的責任,還承擔著對整個社會的責任。 信德集團有限公司董事總經理、美高梅中國控股有限公司聯席董事長及執行董事何超瓊女士, JP認為自己能夠站到今天的位置其實付出了很多,每一點都極力做到最好,但是也證明瞭自己,感到非常欣慰。她表示女性在職場和在家庭都會付出很多,因為她們總想著照顧到所有方面。 馬來西亞綠野集團行政總裁李靜雯女士分享了自己如何一步步在職場發展到今天的經歷,她表示自己會選擇以成績而不是時間來評估員工的工作表現,這樣為女性員工帶來公平的機會去展現自己。 香港特別行政區政府環境局副局長陸恭蕙女士作為唯一一位政治領域的獲獎者講述了自己的職業經歷,她表示自己在不同的文化背景中成長起來,這樣的成長經歷讓她有著極強的適應能力。 證券及期貨事務監察委員會高級總監及風險及策略主管比妮‧諾藍女士除了分享自己的經歷外,還給女性分享了兩點建議:首先,如果女性想要一份事業,千萬不要怕冒險;其次,即使女性做了母親以後,也要找回平衡和支撐自己的系統。 摩根大通董事總經理、亞太地區副主席李晶女士講述了自己從北京到美國再到香港的發展經歷,她表示對年輕女性而言,受良好的教育很重要,並且找到屬于自己的自信更加重要。 寰亞傳媒集團有限公司著名演員及歌手楊千嬅小姐表示自己的職業生涯一路走來多虧了家人的支持,有家人做強大的後盾是自己有今天成績的關鍵。 中國日報社擁有報紙、網站、移動客戶端、臉譜、推特、微博、微信、電子報等十餘種媒介平台,全媒體用戶總數累計約4100萬;發行量90萬份,其中海外60萬份;網站日均訪問量(PV)5200萬,全球移動客戶端用戶達600萬;在海外,通過每月發行400餘萬份海外供版的《中國觀察報》(China Watch),直達《華爾街日報》、《華盛頓郵報》、《每日電訊報》、《費加羅報》、加拿大《環球郵報》、泰國《民族報》等美、歐、亞主流讀者群。 中國日報亞洲領袖圓桌論壇(www.cdroundtable.com)是一個由亞洲國家和地區的政、商、學界領袖和社會精英參與的高端對話和交流平臺,圍繞亞洲地區經濟、商業、產業和社會發展等具有戰略影響的重要議題展開討論,至今在港、澳和亞太多國已經舉辦了40餘屆,逾萬名決策精英參與。 亞洲新聞聯盟是全球最大和最活躍的國際媒體聯盟,包括19個亞洲國家和地區的22家媒體。該聯盟以「亞洲人報導亞洲」之理念,將世界各地之國際新聞及事件傳播給讀者及一般公眾。聯盟成員報紙總發行量1500萬份,覆蓋亞洲地區6000萬讀者,每月網絡媒體瀏覽量近19億次。
2016-01-19The film industry generates enormous amounts of intellectual property (IP), which has benefited Hong Kong greatly over the years. The Chinese mainland, on the other hand, is only now starting to tap into the economic benefits generated beyond the box office, a China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable heard on Dec 3. The issue of movie-related IP and the benefits it can generate for businesses and economies was at the heart of the discussion during the event titled The Strategic Implications for Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the IP Era. What emerged at the roundtable event — part of the fifth Business of IP Asia forum which took place in Hong Kong on Dec 3 and 4 — was a discussion about the need for the industry in the Chinese mainland to find more revenue channels for IP. There are also opportunities for Hong Kong, which is well positioned to act as a “super-connector” between the mainland and the rest of the world. In May, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government launched a plan to invest HK$200 million ($25.8 million) in a Film Development Fund to support the development of the industry. Hong Kong has an entrenched legal framework, said Zhou Li, an editorial board member of the China Daily Group and publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific. “This is an opportunity for Hong Kong to take advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Zhou, referring to plans proposed by President Xi Jinping to revive ancient trading routes between China and the West. “When it comes to the collaboration among belt and road countries in moviemaking … the possibilities are immense.” These include opportunities for production, marketing and investment, all of which require IP agreements among countries. The numbers coming from China are “simply mind-boggling”, said Michael Ellis, president and managing director for Asia Pacific at the Motion Picture Association. Box office revenues in China of 29.6 billion yuan ($4.6 billion) in 2014 were 10 times the 2.9 billion yuan recorded in 2005, and revenues are already higher in 2015. By 2017, box office revenues should surpass those of the United States to become the largest box office market in the world. In Hong Kong, the box office continues to grow, up by 23.3 percent in the last five years to $212.4 million in 2014 from $172.3 in 2010. Even with these large revenues, the number of film screens in both the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong are but a fraction of those in the United States. In the mainland there are about 22 screens for every 1 million people, 30 in Hong Kong and 120 in the US. And there are challenges in China for international moviemakers, who have to work with caps on the number of films that are released and domestic competition. There are about 700 films made every year in the Chinese mainland, of which just 200 are widely released to the national box office, and as much as 80 to 90 percent of revenues for films come from the box office. This is not the case in Hollywood, however, as a lot of income is derived from merchandising and franchises. “IP is important … There is an increased focus in China to protect IP,” said Ellis. “There is more cooperation between the screen industry, the technology industry and the government. “Hong Kong is really built off a robust IPR regime,” he added, referring to IP rights. This is backed by both government policy and resources to enforcement agencies that work with both outreach and surveillance efforts while tax incentives for production and post-production help support the industry. Hong Kong has traditionally been a major supplier of both television and film content, particularly to the Chinese market, said Percy Fung, production director at Digital Magic, a film production company. “Hong Kong, as a free port, has for a long time been serving content owners around the world,” said Fung, who is also a board member of the Hong Kong Film Awards. “Whatever orders come into Hong Kong overnight we can ship them around the world. Hong Kong has a long history of service to Hollywood movies and movies of Asia.” Fung added that the major issue for the industry in Hong Kong is how to sell movies, especially those from the mainland, to the world. For movie studios, IP protection is important, particularly at a time when studios around the world are trying to get into the market. “A few years ago, copyright in China meant the right to copy,” said William Pfeiffer, CEO of Dragongate Entertainment, which is backed by giant entertainment company Lionsgate. “That has changed.” Much of the change has come from the evolution of the industry in China. Many of the companies that use content or license films to show in China are now listed on stock exchanges. This evolution translates into greater transparency. “What they are trying to do is pretty similar to the Hollywood studio environment,” said Pfeiffer, who has made large investments in China through various subsidiaries. “You are finding money from China going into Hollywood.” Capital is also flowing both ways, with foreign studios looking to tap into the huge Chinese box office and Chinese investors looking to break into foreign markets and studios. “In addition to film, the TV market is an important landscape,” said Pfeiffer. “The online video distribution business is big and getting bigger. The video-on-demand business is also important.” For example, Dragongate has a deal with e-commerce giant Alibaba, and film-streaming website Netflix is trying to find a way into China. The mobile business is also increasingly important in the market, while theme parks — with Disney leading the charge — emerge as important drivers of revenue alongside merchandising and digital content. “Chinese companies are starting to understand the value of their IP,” Pfeiffer said. “China makes a $200 million film and everybody is going to want to see it. There is money being lost to piracy.” Going forward, however, more Chinese IP will come under pressure from greater demand and more piracy of domestic content. It will also face pressures to perform better financially. A few decades ago, the film industry was controlled by the government but about a decade ago, private film ventures first emerged. Then about five years ago, more foreign capital began to enter the market. The result, said April Ye, CEO of the China arm of Film Finances, Inc, was a need for more risk control. The 50-year-old company is the largest in the world focused on the film completion guarantee business. Originally based in the United Kingdom, the company expanded globally and is now looking to tap into a new and generally unexplored market. What the company does is guarantee to investors that films are completed on time. Film Finances opened its first office in Shanghai in May. “This is something that is brand new for China,” said Ye. “People say that China is not ready yet, but I say ‘we can’t wait until everything is ready’ to grow with the market and help build the system.” In more developed markets, a well-established producer system is in place that does not yet exist in the Chinese mainland. As movies become commercial products with big value, there is a greater need for a more transparent standard system. Ye has been working on co-productions in China for about 14 years. For more than two decades, she said, Hong Kong has been a bridge for the world into the Chinese mainland’s film industry. However, the opportunity for the Hong Kong film industry will be in bringing the Chinese mainland industry to the world. In the mainland, box office revenues are split between the big global blockbusters and domestic films. To ensure the industry in China grows, IP will have to be tracked through what lawyers call the “chain of title”, or ownership, said Jason Goldberg, a partner at international law firm Covington & Burling, and leader of the firm’s entertainment, sports and media practice in China. Much of Goldberg’s work focuses on the IP that goes into a film, rather than the IP generated by the film itself. “In China, as it turns out, this is a very challenging thing to do right now,” he said. The chain of title of the inputs — novels, stories or scripts — that go into movies is not always clean. The system in China is changing, but a lot of IP still exists under the old system. This means that determining who actually owns rights to a particular piece of IP can be complex. “People are very aware of the value of the film business in China right now,” said Goldberg. “The awareness is there but the structure and expertise to implement that awareness is still developing.” Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-12/11/content_15357640.html
2015-12-11As Chinese businesses see the importance of intellectual property amid the nation's continued restructuring of its economy, Hong Kong's role as an IP trading hub and the "super-connector" between the mainland and the world will expand, said the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The fifth Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum was held in Hong Kong last week. IP trading refers to the buying, selling and transferring of IP rights under mutually agreed terms. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said at the forum that Hong Kong's outstanding business environment, robust IP protection system and its role as China's "super-connector" will help promote the city as a regional IP trading hub. Mainland enterprises have filed more than one-third of global patent applications, accounting for 60 percent of the total number of applications in Asia, said Raymond Yip, HKTDC deputy executive director. "Mainland companies are seeing tremendous demand for IP trading," Yip said, noting that with the imminent launch of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), technology and innovation will be the main theme of the country's economic development over the next five years. Hong Kong, endowed with extensive business connections, a sound legal system, a cluster of IP owners and intermediaries as well as a robust financial market, is poised to be the ideal IP trading platform in Asia. Film industry leaders at an Asia Leadership Roundtable forum urged the mainland movie industry to gear up for an intellectual property protection drive so that it can reap the benefits of a diversified revenue stream when movie content crosses over to different new media. Hong Kong cements lead as IP hub "Being a gateway to the Chinese mainland and by extension, to the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is in a unique position of facilitating the traffic of IP-sharing exchange between the East and the West," said Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief at China Daily Asia Pacific. The Chinese mainland is poised to overtake the United States as the world's largest film market by 2017 and its market revenue is expected to grow by 20 times from 2004 to 2014, said Michael C. Ellis, president and managing director for the Asia-Pacific region at the Motion Picture Association. "The Chinese mainland's film market is too big to ignore," he said. However, while 89 percent of mainland movie companies' revenue comes from box-office takings, this is not the case in Hollywood, as US filmmakers can generate income from different sources including franchising and licensing, Ellis noted. "Movie companies should think long-term how IP protection can provide income in the future," said Jason Goldberg, a partner at law firm Covington & Burling LLP and leader of the firm's entertainment, sports and media practice in China. The panelists also expressed confidence that Hong Kong can act as a bridge between the mainland movie industry and Hollywood. "In the future, there will be opportunities for the Hong Kong movie industry to work closely with the mainland movie industry to bring Chinese movies to the world. I really believe, in the next five years, there will also be opportunities for big Chinese IP to go out to the world," said April Ye, chief executive officer at Film Finances Inc China. Oswald@chinadailyhk.com http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2015-12/09/content_22666595.htm
2015-12-09For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASE Unveiling the Strategic Implications for the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the “IP Era” DEC 03, 2015, Hong Kong – More than 300 delegates from the global movie industry today attended the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable on “The Strategic Implications for the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the “IP Era”’, held as part of the Business of IP Asia Forum. China Daily has again teamed up with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in co-organizing the session for such a significant event, riding on last year’s success. China’s entire film industry is moving up the value chain trying to catch up with Hollywood and the rest of the world. On the Chinese Mainland, investment in the movie sector and box-office gross has grown by leaps and bounds in each of the past few years. The annual pace of growth in 2015 is more than six times faster than the nation’s 7% GDP growth rate. Intellectual properties (IP) development and protection is now considered strategic and critical for the success and survival of China’s film business. The roundtable panelists shared their insightful views on the challenges and opportunities for China’s film industry in the “IP Era", Hong Kong’s strategic role in the nation’s film industry, as well as the collaboration between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in boosting the level of innovation, professionalism and consumer satisfaction in the movie industry. Mr. ZHOU Li, Editorial Board Member, China Daily Group and Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, China Daily Asia Pacific stressed the indivisibility of IP and the film industry on both the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, as well as the potential of China’s movie sector as a whole. He extended a warm welcome to thedistinguished panelists, including Mr. Michael C. ELLIS, President & Managing Director of Asia-Pacific Region Motion Picture Association (MPA); Mr. Percy FUNG, Production Director, Digital Magic Limited; Mr. William PFEIFFER, Chief Executive Officer, Dragongate Entertainment Ltd; Ms. April YE, CEO of Film Finances, Inc. China and Mr. Jason GOLDBERG, Partner of Covington & Burling LLP, who shared their executive insights on the opportunities and challenges for the film industry of the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong under the “IP era”. Mr. Michael C. ELLIS gave an insightful analysis of the future development of the Chinese film industry. “There are over 700 films made in China every year, but only about 200 of them get released. It’s an incredibly competitive market. So, the IP that sits behind what you create and what you own is incredibly valuable,” he said. Mr. Percy FUNG stressed Hong Kong’s key role in the development of the film industry, saying: “At this moment, Hong Kong’s movie industry is transforming. We are moving up ourselves to help China’s movies go out to the rest of the world.” Mr. William PFEIFFER shared his valuable thoughts on the film business: “If content is the king, then I would say the story or the script is the father of the king, because without the story or script, you cannot have a good movie or TV show. And that has always been an area where China is lacking,” he said. Ms. April YE said: “In the past five to ten years, Hong Kong has been a bridge between Hollywood and China, bringing Hollywood closer to the Chinese Mainland. In future, there are even greater opportunities for Hong Kong’s movie industry to work closely with that of the Chinese Mainland to bring Chinese movies to the world.” Mr. Jason GOLDBERG shared his thoughts on IP development :“People are very aware of the value of IP in the film business right now, and I think the larger and more sophisticated motion picture studios in China want to make properties that they can use in different ways.” About China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable The China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable is a by-invitation network of movers and shakers in Asia providing platforms for focused dialogue, issue investigation, and possible collective action on strategic issues relating to economic, business and social development in Asia. Our aim is to enhance communication and increase mutual understanding between China, Asian and Western countries. Roundtable events are held in major cities across Asia. (www.cdroundtable.com) Media Contact: Ms. Angel Kong Tel: (852) 34655431 Email: angelkong@chinadailyhk.com Follow us: @cdroundtable
2015-12-04The mainland movie industry should gear up for an intellectual property (IP) protection drive so that it can reap the benefits of a diversified revenue stream when movie content crosses over to different new media, the Asia Leadership Roundtable heard on Thursday. The panelists also expressed confidence that Hong Kong can act as a bridge between the mainland movie industry and Hollywood. In the future, there would be opportunities for the Hong Kong movie industry to bring mainland movies into the world market, they said. The roundtable forum, themed “The Strategic Implications for Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong’s Film Industry under the IP Era”, was part of the fifth BIP Asia forum taking place on Thursday and Friday. Panelists representing the US and Hong Kong film industries, film finance companies and legal firms were invited to examine the likely business potential once the mainland movie industry beefed up its efforts in IP protection. “Being a gateway to the Chinese mainland and by extension to the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is in a unique position facilitating the traffic of IP-sharing exchange between the East and the West,” said Zhou Li, publisher and editor-in-chief at China Daily Asia Pacific. “In terms of collaboration between Belt and Road countries (and regions) in moviemaking, there are big opportunities ranging from production to marketing. Certain movie companies on the Chinese mainland would make use of overseas companies’ powerful marketing tools.” “The Chinese mainland is poised to overtake the US as the world’s largest film market by 2017 and this market has registered 20 times revenue growth from 2004 to 2014. The Chinese mainland’s film market is too big to ignore,” said Michael C. Ellis, president and managing director for Asia Pacific region at Motion Picture Association. However, while 89 percent of mainland movie companies’ revenues come from box-office takings, this is not the case in Hollywood, as US filmmakers can generate income from different sources including franchising and licensing, Ellis noted. “IP as a valuable asset for film companies has not been exploited on the mainland. As making movies on the mainland is getting more expensive, they should consider whether it is enough just to have the box-office revenue,” Ellis pointed out. In a rapidly changing economy, the movie industry is increasingly becoming a commercial product. Hence a standardized and transparent procedure is required to ensure the money invested is well spent. Therefore mainland movie companies are also well-advised to maximize returns from investment. “Movie companies should think long-term how IP protection can provide income in the future,’ said Jason Goldberg, a partner at law firm Covington & Burling LLP and leader of the firm’s entertainment, sports and media practice in China. “The awareness of IP protection in the mainland movie industry is there, but the structure and expertise to implement that awareness is something that still needs to be developed.” “Nowadays when we are making films, we will invite those IP-related professionals to get involved in the story-designing process. These professionals may come from the industries of music, toy making, merchandising and advertising. We are looking at the IP aspect of the movies,” said Percy Fung Tze-cheong, production director of Digital Magic Ltd. The panelists at the roundtable also voiced confidence that Hong Kong can be a bridge to link the mainland movie industry and Hollywood. “In the future, there will be opportunities for the Hong Kong movie industry to work closely with the mainland movie industry to bring Chinese movies to the world. I really believe, in the next five years, there will also be opportunities for big Chinese IP to go out to the world,” said April Ye, chief executive officer at Film Finances Inc China. “There is a bright future for IP flowing into the mainland as well as going out from the mainland,” Dragongate Entertainment Ltd Chief Executive Officer William Pfeiffer said. “Mainland investors are looking for investment in the Hollywood film-making industry. At the same time, US movie companies are also looking for long-term partnerships to make Chinese films. Some filmmakers have greater budget and they want to get more Chinese culture relevance in their movies,” Pfeiffer added. “There are definitively opportunities for the mainland to build up its own movies. As mainland people want to see films played by locals and in their own language, the mainland audiences would like to see more Chinese films. The chance is there to build up great Chinese films in the next five years,” Ye from Film Finances Inc said. Contact the writer at oswald@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-12/04/content_15354048.html
2015-12-04Hong Kong’s role as an intellectual property (IP) trading hub will be further cemented as the mainland sees tremendous demand for IP trading due to its economic restructuring, says the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The Fifth Business of Intellectual Property Asia (BIP Asia) Forum, being held in Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday, has invited more than 2,000 IP professionals and industry players to this year’s event, with more than 80 exhibitors (IP owners, users and trading intermediaries) attending. Leung welcomed the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Francis Gurry, to attend the BIP Asia forum. He said that Hong Kong’s outstanding business environment, robust IP protection regime as well as our role as the “super-connector” between the mainland and the rest of the world would help promote the city as a regional IP trading hub. More than one-third of global patent applications have been filed by mainland enterprises, accounting for 60 percent of the total number of applications in Asia, according to Raymond Yip, HKTDC deputy executive director. “With the imminent launch of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), technology and innovation will be the main theme of the country’s economic development in the coming five years. Mainland companies are seeing tremendous demand for IP trading,” Yip said. “The business value of technology trading on the mainland is tipped to swell to 2 trillion yuan ($312.6 billion) in 2020 from 400 billion yuan recorded in 2010. Hong Kong currently is ranked as the mainland’s sixth technology import source.” Yip predicted that the Belt and Road Initiative, a national development strategy unveiled by President Xi Jinping in 2013 that aims to connect 4.4 trillion people from more than 60 countries and regions, will also stimulate demand for IP trading services from the SAR. “Design innovation is one of the intellectual niches in Hong Kong. All these designs can cross over to other goods and services as well, thus propelling an array of IP trading business opportunities to those Belt and Road Initiative-related business enterprises,” he added. Hong Kong, endowed with extensive business connections, a common law legal regime, a cluster of IP owners and intermediaries as well as a robust financing market, is poised to be the ideal IP trading platform in Asia. “Every year, there are 4,000 trademark applications, 13,000 patent applications, 600 short-term patent applications and 1,000 registered design applications being filed in Hong Kong,” said Ada Leung Ka-lai, director of intellectual property. “We are educating more local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other startups to be more aware of IP protection and trading,” she said. Kwong Chi-keung, a solicitor specializing as agents for trademarks and patents, said Hong Kong’s strength in legal arbitration can help bolster its IP trading hub status because legal action may be more expensive for companies to resolve IP infringement cases. “Lawsuit cases regarding IP protection of trademarks, patents and registered designs usually involve many companies from various countries (and regions). Because of the difference in the legal regimes of these markets, IP owners may find it very time consuming to engage in IP protection lawsuit cases. Moreover, IP owners may have to disclose details of commercial secrets in courts concerning their IP protection lawsuit cases whereas they are unwilling to do so,” Kwong said. “Many countries (and regions) are studying whether they can change their arbitration laws to resolve IP protection lawsuit cases, and Hong Kong is set to benefit from this trend,” he added. oswald@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/hknews/2015-12/04/content_15353945.html
2015-12-04新聞稿 中國日報論壇聚焦內地及香港電影業 在「知識產權世代」下的定位和策略 2015年12月3日,香港 –中國日報今日在香港舉辦題為「中國內地及香港電影業在知識產權世代下的定位和策略」的亞洲領袖圓桌論壇,吸引了逾300名業界領袖出席。 中國日報本次再度攜手亞洲知識產權營商論壇,舉辦專題論壇。本次論壇邀請到的演講嘉賓有美國電影協會亞太區總裁暨區域總監艾理善先生;香港天極數碼製作總監馮子昌先生;Dragongate Entertainment Ltd行政總裁William Pfeiffer先生;美國電影金融(中國)有限公司總裁葉禾卿女士以及科文頓•柏靈律師事務所合夥人伊宋先生。 中國電影過去十年中以年均30%的增幅領跑亞洲,2014年度票房達47億美元,為世界年度電影票房增長貢獻近八成,2015年的增幅更是勢不可擋。預計到今年底,票房收入有望達到63億美元。近年中國電影票房屢創佳績,冀與好萊塢齊名已非遙不可及。隨著電影業的蓬勃發展,保護知識產權愈顯重要。 中國日報社編委兼亞太分社社長周立先生在歡迎致辭中表示,中國內地的電影業飛速發展,香港作為中國內地與世界的“超級連絡人”,也會為中國的電影業帶來發展機遇。知識產權世代下,中國內地及香港的電影業發展趨勢是不斷向全球標準看齊,電影、投資及法律等有關知識產權的融合與發展將會為整個中國電影業帶來正面的影響。 論壇嘉賓就中國內地電影業在「知識產權世代」下將面臨的機遇與挑戰,香港電影業的策略性定位及發展方向等議題進行了精彩的討論。 美國電影協會亞太區總裁暨區域總監艾理善先生認為中國有望在2017年超越美國,成為全球票房第一大國。目前,電影業的知識產權在中國內地受到廣泛關注,香港的電影業也蓬勃發展。他相信,在未來,更加健全的版權保護機制將會不斷促進中國內地及香港的電影業去保護原創作品。 香港天極數碼製作總監馮子昌先生表示過去10年,香港電影業與內地的聯繫越來越緊密,不僅是電影製作方面,更多的是電影內容和劇本方面的合作。香港的電影業也在不斷改革,在全球化發展的大趨勢下,中國內地及香港對電影業的知識產權保護和發展也必將向國際化標準看齊。 Dragongate Entertainment Ltd行政總裁William Pfeiffer先生認為就電影業而言,好的電影離不開內容和劇本,這些也都屬於知識產權的範疇,而中國內地目前正缺少這方面的開發與保護。不過就知識產權的受關注程度來看,相信中國一定會有所突破,從而帶動整個電影業的發展。 美國電影金融(中國)有限公司總裁葉禾卿女士指出目前在中國內地,越來越多的投資者把目光轉向電影業,電影金融業就是要為電影投資方和電影製作方搭建一個平臺,這個平臺必須要關注到知識產權。電影內容的製作直接對電影的票房收入回報產生影響,就知識產權而言,中國內地開始逐漸關注這一重要元素,對中國電影業的長遠發展是有利的。 科文頓•柏靈律師事務所合夥人伊宋先生表示知識產權在各行各業都備受關注,就電影業而言,我們應該將這種知識產權的意識逐步系統化、制度化,這樣才可以保障電影業的實際利益。 中國日報亞洲領袖圓桌論壇(www.cdroundtable.com)是一個由亞洲國家和地區的政、商、學界領袖和社會精英參與的高端對話和交流平臺,圍繞亞洲地區經濟、商業、產業和社會發展等具有戰略影響的重要議題展開討論,至今在港、澳和亞太多國已經舉辦了近40屆,逾二萬名決策精英參與。 媒體垂詢:江小姐 電話:(852) 3465 5431 電子郵件:angelkong@chinadailyhk.com 關注我們: @cdroundtable
2015-12-04Although Hong Kong has positioned itself as the “super-connector” between the mainland and the world, it’s not enough, Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong affairs of the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, said on Wednesday. Speaking at a forum exploring opportunities for trade and investments as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hung said the SAR should actively participate in shaping new orders and standards for international trading in the new age of the Internet. One aspect of the Belt and Road Initiative is to help mainland companies break into foreign markets. However, many of them are not familiar with the idea of doing business abroad. Hung believes professionals from Hong Kong, having relatively greater exposure, could guide these enterprises. “We can leverage Qianhai and Shanghai as a channel for money to come in and out,” Hung said, “and also have professionals from Hong Kong help mainland companies go out.” Cross-border renminbi loans registered in Qianhai, which is part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, have reached about 100 billion yuan ($15.7 billion). Hung said he has observed many foreign companies, including Australian banks, going to the mainland to introduce their business. As it is mostly small companies offering professional services in Hong Kong, Hung urged the government to unite these into a combined presence to attract the attention of mainland companies, and not miss out on the opportunities. He said SAR officials had recently begun to take notice of the many opportunities in Qianhai. Earlier this month, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah led a group of Hong Kong businessmen to Qianhai to explore more economic opportunities and, last week, Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the annual meeting of the Qianhai advisory committee in Shenzhen. Hung told China Daily that the recent close communication between companies in Shenzhen and Hong Kong will broaden cooperation and explore new opportunities. However, he admitted that much work was needed to facilitate more efficient cooperation.Improving transportation, he said, was the “number one” priority. He expects more than 50,000 people from Qianhai will need to commute to Hong Kong daily in the near future — a demand which current transportation and customs facilities in the two cities are unable to meet. He proposed building an underwater railway from Hung Shui Kiu directly to Qianhai, especially since the water between Qianhai and Hung Shui Kiu is not very deep. He estimates the project will cost about 10 billion yuan. “Shenzhen will build a transportation hub in Qianhai with customs, inspection and quarantine departments,” Hung disclosed. grace@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-11/20/content_15347317.html
2015-11-20中国日报香港11月18日电(记者 周君君、柴华、周沫)中国日报今日在香港举办题为“一带一路,贸易投资新策略”的专题研讨会,深入探讨亚洲贸易及投资业在“一带一路”建设中的发展前景,吸引逾二百位业界精英人士参与。 中国日报是本港唯一连续两年与亚洲物流与航运会议合作的媒体。本次研讨会邀请到的演讲嘉宾有恒生银行有限公司执行董事兼环球银行及资本市场业务主管冯孝忠先生;香港理工大学中国商业中心主任陈文鸿博士;马尔代夫美佳航空公司商务总裁鲍迅捷先生及前海管理局香港事务首席联络官洪为民博士。 中国于2013年提出的“一带一路”战略,惠及60多个国家,为全球逾40亿人口带来深远影响。迄今为止,中国与“一带一路”周边国家签署的自由贸易项目总投资额超过2500亿美元,涉及基建、能源、运输等诸多领域,逐步形成一个经济带。 随着亚洲区域内基础设施建设及自由贸易持续增长,“一带一路”战略将进一步激发沿线国家及地区的发展潜能,消除贸易壁垒,促进区域经济联通。公营及私营机构需紧密合作,促进亚洲物流及航运业的长远发展。 香港作为全球最大的航空港,亦是珠三角地区重要空运枢纽,在“一带一路”建设中担当中国和世界的“超级联系人”。香港特别行政区行政长官梁振英在最近出访英国伦敦时表示,香港正积极与东盟十国洽谈自贸协议。 11月18日,中国日报于亚洲物流及航运会议举办题为“‘一带一路’贸易投资新策略”的专题研讨会,吸引逾二百位业界精英人士参与。图为论坛现场。(中国日报 郑尔奇摄) 恒生银行有限公司执行董事兼环球银行及资本市场业务主管冯孝忠先生阐述了四个业内外非常关注的有关“一带一路”的议题,包括“一带一路”与基建项目的发展前景等。他表示从短期来看,租赁和设备融资的需求将不断上升;但是在今后航运及航空方面的需求也会逐渐复兴。 香港理工大学中国商业中心主任陈文鸿博士系统解释阐述了“一带一路”的发展模式和前景,他认为,香港将会是中国内地与“一带一路”沿线国家的重要聚焦地,香港应抓住这一发展机遇。他强调,香港除了看向英国和欧洲的传统发展模式外,更应该与“一带一路”沿线国家多交流多沟通。 马尔代夫美佳航空公司商务总裁鲍迅捷先生表示南亚国家对“一带一路”发展非常感兴趣,香港作为重要的桥梁之地,应该发挥其关键的航空港作用。 前海管理局香港事务首席联络官洪为民博士指出香港的“超级联系人”角色非常重要,前海作为中国内地新兴发展自贸区,将会与香港一同构建贸易发展的新模式。 中国日报亚洲领袖圆桌论坛(www.cdroundtable.com)是一个由亚洲国家和地区的政、商、学界领袖和社会精英参与的高端对话和交流平台,围绕亚洲地区经济、商业、产业和社会发展等具有战略影响的重要议题展开讨论,至今在港、澳和亚太多国已经举办了40余届,逾万名决策精英参与。 (编辑:高晴)
2015-11-20Hong Kong is poised to play a role in offshore yuan financing, institutional intermediation, legal arbitration and other professional services provision to facilitate the Belt and Road Initiative, the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable heard on Wednesday. However, the city must learn fast, and the government needs to do much more than its competitors, in view of the Belt and Road Initiative which promises to be a game-changer, panelists at a forum said. The roundtable forum, themed “Belt and Road Initiative: Implications and Opportunities for Trade and Investments” — held as part of the Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference — took place on Nov 17 and 18. Various panelists from the banking, academic, aviation and regulatory sectors examined the opportunities and challenges ahead for Hong Kong. Proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is the national strategy that aims to enhance connectivity for 4.4 billion people from more than 60 economies with a gross economic volume of around $22 trillion. Since its announcement, more than $250 billion worth of infrastructure projects have been contracted. “Banks in Hong Kong need to revitalize the old-fashioned businesses, such as maritime cargo insurance, shipping finance and aircraft leasing, to capture businesses with more opportunities. The Belt and Road Initiative also involves Islamic financing and, luckily, the city has started this business, otherwise, we may be out of the game,” said Andrew Fung Hau-chung, executive director and head of global banking and markets at Hang Seng Bank. The world’s largest offshore yuan liquidity is also a niche area banks in Hong Kong can leverage on, Fung said. “It provides new opportunities for banks in Hong Kong to use the yuan for the liability. Hong Kong is lucky in this regard.” Academicians highlighted Hong Kong’s role in institutional intermediation and legal arbitration, besides financing. “Many Russian business firms have already come to Hong Kong to take advantage of the city’s deep connections and institutional framework,” said Thomas Chan Man-hung, head of the China Business Centre at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Mega Maldives Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Sandeep Bahl noted that aviation will provide an important connector to achieve people-to-people bond and cultural exchanges advocated by the Belt and Road Initiative. “Once we have people-to-people and cultural exchanges, these things will grow and then we have super-connection within five hours anywhere you go from Hong Kong and this may even get down to two-and-a-half hours,” Bahl told delegates at the roundtable. “The Belt and Road Initiative helps mainland enterprises’ capital and production capacity to go out, but these firms do not know much about foreign markets. Hong Kong can offer professional services in mergers and acquisitions, as well as financing and legal expertise, to help mainland companies go out,” Shenzhen Qianhai Authority’s Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong Affairs Witman Hung Wai-man noted. However, Hong Kong also faces various challenges ahead under the Belt and Road Initiative. “Hong Kong’s challenges lie in learning and re-engineering, that is to acquire new languages, knowledge and capabilities for non-Anglo-Saxon practices and civilizations, so that Hong Kong can upgrade local knowledge to provide intensive services by becoming an open platform for firms and talents from the Eurasian and South Asian countries,” Chan cautioned. Hong Kong should learn from London, Chan said. “See how London resurges to become the top financing center since 1950. We must take a holistic approach on how to improve our services,” he envisaged. People have to look at tax treaty/tax treatment regarding cross-border leasing activities, according to Fung. “We are left behind it,” he said. Hung said it was not enough for Hong Kong to just play “super-connector”. “In the Internet age, the business value decreases if we are only the intermediary. Hong Kong has to provide additional services related to various initiatives,” he added. Contact the writer at oswald@chinadailyhk.com Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-11/20/content_15347311.html
2015-11-20Hong Kong is in an advantageous position to provide financial support to enterprises trying to expand their business in countries that come within the ambit of the Belt and Road Initiative, said Andrew Fung Hau-chung, executive director and head of global banking and markets at Hang Seng Bank. With more than 60 countries and economies covered by the initiative, many businesses will require cross-border financing. “Hong Kong has a very good presence of international banks. Most of the large international banks have branches in Hong Kong,” Fung told China Daily in an exclusive interview. “Therefore, it is a good financing hub for making cross-border financing, (either) from the mainland to Central Asia or from the mainland to ASEAN,” said Fung. While Fung believes that banks in Hong Kong have already been offering comprehensive financial services to enterprises, he stressed that they still need to strengthen their services, as the Belt and Road Initiative and renminbi internationalization will create more demand for renminbi-based financing. “If customers start to use more renminbi in trade, then banks have to strengthen their capacity. For example, in the payment system, banks probably need to join the Cross-border Interbank Payment System for making payments because, in the past, most of the payments were made in either US dollars or euro.” Meanwhile, the SAR is facing increasing competition from mainland cities and other international financial centers such as London and Singapore, despite being the largest offshore renminbi center, Fung pointed out. Hong Kong used to be the only financial center, he noted, but now it has to compete with several others for a bigger slice of the cake. But he insisted that the Belt and Road Initiative will bring more benefits to Hong Kong as the demand for cross-border loans rises, with the SAR having an edge. Fung expects to see growing demand for equipment financing in the short term, followed by the revival of shipping and aircraft leasing in the medium term. Hong Kong used to be a big center for aircraft financing, said Fung, but the absence of tax treaties has led to a sharp drop in its competitiveness in the past few years. “Many countries have brought about tax reforms that make Hong Kong less competitive. So, we have to see if we could introduce some tax reforms that encourage cross-border leasing.” He urged the SAR government to play a bigger role by reviewing tax treatment for cross-border leasing to support the Belt and Road Initiative in the aspect of financing. sally@chinadailyhk.com Source:http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-11/20/content_15347318.html
2015-11-20For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASE Pundits explore opportunities for Asia under ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Nov 18, 2015, Hong Kong -Business and finance industry leaders gathered in Hong Kong for a special forum organized by China Daily to discuss the implications, as well as the opportunities for Asia’s trade and investment sectors created by the China-led “Belt and Road Initiative”. The forum, themed “Belt and Road Initiative”: Implications and Opportunities for Trade and Investments”, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, in conjunction with the Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC), which was attended by more than 300 delegates from across the continent’s trade, finance and logistics industries. China Daily has been the only media in Hong Kong that has co-organized similar dialogue sessions with ALMC for two consecutive years. The “Belt and Road Initiative”, first mooted by President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to enhance connectivity for 4.4 billion people from more than 60 countries. Since the announcement of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, a string of free trade agreements have been signed between China and countries and regions along the “Belt and Road” routes, involving more than US$250 billion worth of projects, ranging from railways to power plants. During a recent visit to London, The Honourable C Y Leung, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said Hong Kong is in talks with all the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a free trade agreement. Infrastructure development will also play a crucial role in removing barriers to trade among various countries, while Hong Kong, which is home to the world’s number one air-cargo hub, is concerned about airspace management in the Pearl River Delta region. With increased infrastructure construction and more free trade pacts on the way, the “Belt and Road initiative” will help to dismantle trade and investment barriers and enhance connectivity among nations along the routes. Public and private business sectors should work closely together to capitalize on these opportunities for their continued growth. The distinguished panelists at the China Daily forum included Mr. Andrew FUNG, JP, Executive Director and Head of Global Banking and Markets, Hang Seng Bank; Dr. Thomas CHAN, Head of China Business Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr. Sandeep BAHL, Chief Commercial Officer, Mega Maldives Airlines; and Dr. Witman HUNG, JP, Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong, Shenzhen Qianhai Authority. Mr. Fung gave an insightful analysis of the future development of the “Belt and Road” initiative. “In the short term, leasing and equipment financing will see the biggest immediate demand. In the medium term, I would see a revival of the shipping and aircraft-leasing business,” he said. Dr. Chan stressed Hong Kong’s prominent role in the “Belt and Road” initiative, saying: “Hong Kong should learn to go beyond its traditional knowledge of the UK or Europe. It should look at and learn more about other emerging countries along the ‘Belt and Road’.” Mr. Bahl shared his valuable thoughts on the aviation industry: “South Asian countries have been very active in pushing the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. The trade volume between China and the Maldives in past two years has tripled to US$200 million. The combined economies along the ‘Belt and Road’ represent a significant market not only for Hong Kong, but also all Asian countries,” he said. Dr. Hung said: “Hong Kong, being just a ‘super-connector’ is not enough. I think Hong Kong and the mainland together can help shape the new order and trading standards.” About China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable The China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable is a by-invitation network of movers and shakers in Asia providing platforms for focused dialogue, issue investigation, and possible collective action on strategic issues relating to economic, business and social development in Asia. Our aim is to enhance communication and increase mutual understanding between China, Asian and Western countries. Roundtable events are held in major cities across Asia. (www.cdroundtable.com)
2015-11-19