CPPCC Chairman visits Hong Kong's IT flagship (with photos)
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    The Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Jia Qinglin, this morning (June 28) began the second day of his Hong Kong visit with a tour of Cyberport — the city’s IT flagship.

     Accompanied by Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang, Mr Jia was welcomed by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph Wong, and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited Chief Executive Officer Mr Nicholas Yang on arrival at Telegraph Bay.

     Mr Yang explained to the Chairman the Cyberport’s vision as well as the various facilities in the building at the Visitor Centre.    

     Cyberport is dedicated to providing world-class infrastructure and a campus-like environment that encourages exchange and synergy among IT professionals and helps nurture professional talent for the industry. It aims to create an interactive environment that will be home to a strategic cluster of about 100 IT companies and 10,000 IT professionals.

     Mr Jia took a closer look at the development of the city’s creative industry by visiting Centro Digital Pictures Ltd, a leading animation and visual-effects studio and entertainment production outfit.

     Centro chairman Mr John Chu, together with Film Development Committee chairman Mr Jack So and Committee member Mr Peter Lam, greeted Mr Jia at the company offices at Cyberport 3.

     During a tour of the company’s facilities, Mr Chu explained the production of digital effects and revealed the magic behind computer graphic techniques used in film production. Mr So, Mr Lam and Mr Chu then talked about how the local film industry extended its reach to the Mainland.

     Mr Jia said Cyberport was essential to the rationalisation of Hong Kong's economic structure.  He encouraged the local film and animation industry to strengthen co-operation with the Mainland whose market has great potential.

     Mr Jia next visited the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region where he met Central Government officials based in Hong Kong and the heads of major Hong Kong-based Chinese enterprises.

     Earlier in the morning, Mr Jia had breakfast with CPPCC Vice-chairman Mr Tung Chee Hwa in his hotel. 　

Ends/Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:23

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