娱乐英语新闻:Int'l entertainment industry eyes on Chinese mainland market amid global economic crisis

HONG KONG, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Despite the global economic crisis, prospects for the film and entertainment industry are bright, and international entertainment industry eyes on the opportunities in Chinese mainland market of greatest potential, according to a survey released in Hong Kong on Thursday.

    A total of 330 entertainment industry exhibitors and buyers from around the world were interviewed face to face about the global market and industry trends during the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) held in Hong Kong from Monday to Thursday.

    More than 60 percent of the respondents said overall business results over the past 12 months were "very good" or "quite good". Looking at the industry with the greatest growth prospects, respondents ranked TV first, followed by digital entertainment and film.

    Among the respondents, 95 percent said co-productions would continue as a hot trend and 81 percent agreed that cross-media convergence is expected to bring in more business opportunities.

    A total of 59 percent of the respondents said the Chinese mainland would be the market of greatest potential for the overall entertainment industry. As much as 67 percent said the TV industry has good prospects in the Chinese mainland, followed by the digital entertainment industry and the film industry.

    Asked about the next three years' business plan, 56 percent of the respondents ranked the Chinese mainland market as the most popular.

    Respondents also regard Hong Kong as the best platform for reaching the Chinese mainland and other Asian markets, with 74 percent agreeing that Hong Kong is a major Asian content production, distribution, trading and film financing center.

    Hong Kong's advantages lie in its creative talent, a strong distribution network in Asia, the world-class industry events and protection of intellectual property. Another core driver is CEPA, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with the Chinese mainland, which gives Hong Kong greater access to the Chinese mainland market, according to the survey.