HONG KONG - An increasing number of filmmakers from countries along the Belt and Road are seeking business opportunities at the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), the event's organizer said on Tuesday.The FILMART, in its 22nd edition this year, has attracted over 850 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions, and over 360 of them are from countries along the Belt and Road, representing a 10-percent increase from last year, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) told Xinhua.Many of these exhibitors at the FILMART said they regard Hong Kong as a gateway to markets between the Chinese mainland and the rest of Asia, as well as between Asia and the rest of the world.It's important to be here especially for people who do sales and acquisition in Asia, because in Hong Kong you get to see and know all the content that is made and being distributed in Asia, Anna Pokorskaya of Russian animation studio Wizart said. Definitely Hong Kong is a gateway.The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes.At the pavilion of the Philippine Film Export Service Office, which includes 25 Philippine exhibitors, the office's executive director Don Gervin Arawan told Xinhua that Philippine companies have been participating in the FILMART for years, and besides promoting Philippine films, the Philippine exhibitors also want to have Chinese film products in their country.Hong Kong is a mixture. It's where the Chinese mainland and other Asian countries meet the world. And the language barrier is lower here, he said.Keven Lo, official representative of Thailand company JKN Global Media, said his company used to purchase content at the FILMART as a visitor for years, but this year as an exhibitor we are actually purchaser, distributor and seller of content.Lo said his company is expanding its original focus from market inside Thailand to other countries in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, recognized for its internationally-based clientele, is actually a good base to present for the first time into the international market. rubber wristbands ukcool wristbandssilicone keychainflash drive wristbandballer bands24hr wristbandrubber wristbands1 inch wide rubber bands
BEIJING -- A leading US expert on China studies said the ongoing 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China marks a "new historic starting point," believing it will exert influence on China and the world for decades to come. "Xi Jinping set out an audacious, grand vision for China's future development, which, without doubt, is the highlight of the political report," said Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, commenting on the report Xi delivered to the 19th CPC National Congress on Wednesday. What impressed Kuhn was the report's "comprehensive scope" and that it "established the policies not only for the next five years, but framed the agenda and set the strategies for the next 30 years." While announcing socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a "new era," the CPC leader envisioned China with "socialist modernization basically realized" by 2035, and then developing into "a great modern socialist country" by the middle of the century with a leading influence in the world. That's why this congress has special significance as it marks the start of a five-year period that is the confluence of the two centenary goals, said Kuhn, who was at the Great Hall of the People as the co-producer and host of "Closer to China with R.L. Kuhn" on China Global Television Network when the report was delivered. "People orientation and rejuvenating the country, in the historic context of China's ancient civilization and long struggle against foreign oppression, form the foundation of the report," Kuhn said. The report also gave Kuhn, author of bestseller "How China's Leaders Think," a sense of how confident the Chinese leader and the country are in socialism and their commitment to deepening reform and strengthening rule of law. From the report, he also saw the "strict governance of the Party by reforming and purifying itself," which he said is "unambiguous." "The anti-corruption campaign not only continues but is enhanced," he added. On the economic front, Kuhn saw the increasing role of innovation, especially in science and technology. Regarding military, he described the content concerning military reform and modernization as "open and specific." From the report, he also saw China's sovereignty as "sacrosanct" and its international engagement as "pro-active, confident and growing." It impressed Kuhn that "the leadership of China, led by Xi, has a profound understanding of the country, its governance, economy and society, and is determined to bring about its great rejuvenation." "Xi gave a realistic appraisal of problems, including social imbalances, economic structure, endemic pollution," while making an "epic narrative of what China has remarkably achieved, what China has yet to do, and what China envisages as necessary to be a great nation," he said. It is on this competence and accomplishment that the political legitimacy of the CPC is founded, said Kuhn. With this political report and the congress, Xi, who is the core of the CPC Central Committee and of the whole Party, sees China as standing at a new historic starting point and that socialism with Chinese characteristics is entering a new era, Kuhn added.
