Can Jackie Chan lead Hong Kong artistes in the fight for more showbiz roles in mainland China?
New association helmed by action star will push for opportunities and relaxed rules giving local crew and actors a bigger slice of the Chinese market
Hong Kong’s flagging film industry has been thrust into the spotlight at China’s ongoing parliamentary meetings, with the city’s delegates appealing for artistes and crew to get more opportunities in mainland productions.
To help Hong Kong talent fight for greater access, action superstar Jackie Chan will chair a new association, co-founded with singer-songwriter Nicholas Tse Ting-fung and actor Eric Tsang Chi-wai, to lobby authorities across the border.
Chan is among some 200 Hong Kong delegates to China’s top political advisory body – the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – who are now in Beijing to attend the lianghui or “two sessions”, the annual meetings of the CPPCC and the national legislature.
Film and TV drama executive producer Johnny Ng Kit-chong told the Post in an interview in Beijing: “We would like to gather forces in the local sector … and bargain with mainland authorities.” Ng is also a founding member and secretary general of the new association.
Hong Kong’s golden days of film gone as China moves into spotlight
“National treatments are what we are calling for. Just treat us on par with others,” he said.
