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Winners of a photo competition that involved capturing Hong Kong's spirit and success were awarded prizes at a ceremony today (April 14) at Hong Kong Central Library.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Carrie Lam said a photograph was worth more than a thousand words. "With their creativity, aesthetic appearance and good technical aspects, the winning shots depict interesting slices of our lives over the past decade, reflect the diversity and uniqueness of Hong Kong and help document Hong Kong's anniversary," Mrs Lam said.
The competition, which launched a series of celebration activities to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attracted 2,300 entries.
"We are very happy with the quality of entries and the judges had quite a hard time choosing the winners," Mrs Lam said.
The competition comprises three categories: Youth (aged 10 to 17), Open (aged 18 or above) and Mobile Phone (open to all ages).
"The mobile photos submitted by budding amateur photographers were mostly snapshots taken to capture a particular moment. Young people are encouraged to get snapping with their mobile phones or PDA to learn and care more about their surroundings, and the people around them. That will build up their sense of belonging to their respective district and Hong Kong as a whole," she said.
The Open category was won by Sze Kwok Tung with a photo entitled "Entering the 10th Anniversary" which shows a variety of local newspapers and magazines published on New Year's Day in 2007, reflecting Hong Kong's uniqueness and diversity under "One Country, Two Systems", and optimism about the city's development in 2007. Mr Sze comes from the Central and Western District.
The Youth category winner was Mr Timothy Lau Ngok Hei, whose entry was entitled "Golden Bauhinia Square witnessing Hong Kong's historic change in the past decade". Mr Lau comes from Sai Kung District.
Ms Chan Yu Hung's shot of a typically busy street with brightly lit neon signs was the winner of the Mobile Phone category.
The photo competition ran from mid-November last year to mid-January this year.
The theme of the contest was to show Hong Kong's success in the past decade, the successful implementation of "One County, Two Systems" and Hong Kong people's can-do attitude and entrepreneurial spirit
The competition at district and territory levels was organised by the Home Affairs Department and Information Services Department, with 18 District Offices as co-organisers.
Entries were assessed by panels of judges. The territory-wide competition was judged by representatives of the Government and photography professionals comprising veteran photographer Chou Wing Ping; President of the Photographic Society of Hong Kong Dr Leo K K Wong; President of the Chinese Photographic Association of Hong Kong Mr Ng Lin Sing and President of the Photographic Salon Exhibitors Association Mr Nam Chi Kwong.
Mrs Lam congratulated the winners and thanked the judges for taking the time to go through the entries during February and March.
Winners were awarded cash prizes and gift coupons ranging from $300 to $7,000, as well as trophies.
Also officiating at the prize presentation ceremony today were the Director of Home Affairs Mrs Pamela Tan, and the Deputy Director of Information Services Mr Paul Brown.
Winning entries at territory level are now on display at the dedicated website, www.gov.hk/10. A roving exhibition featuring all winning entries is being staged from today to mid-June in the 18 districts. People can visit the website for a list of venues.
The winners at territory level are:
(I) Youth Category
Prize Name District
----- ---- --------
Champion Timothy Lau Ngok Hei Sai Kung
First Runner Up Chan Chun Yin Kowloon
City
Second Runner Up Lam Chi Choy Wong Tai
Sin
Merit Jenna Liang Shi Yun Central &
Western
Lai Wai Yin Yuen Long
Priscilla Yeung Ming Yi Tsuen Wan
Yuen Kim Lam Kwai Tsing
Ha Ka Long Wong Tai
Sin
Lo Ki Yau Tuen Mun
Lee Lok Him Kwai Tsing
Chan Mei Ho Sham Shui
Po
Law Chun Yin Tuen Mun
Cheng Tsz Ching Yau Tsim
Mong
(II) Open Category
Prize Name District
----- ---- --------
Champion Sze Kwok Tung Central &
Western
First Runner Up Kwan Oi Ching Sham Shui
Po
Second Runner Up Peter Kan Tse Sum Wan Chai
Merit Cheung Kan Ching Eastern
Tse Kin Ling Wan Chai
Daniel Tse Kwok Kei Southern
Lau Siu Wai Sham Shui
Po
Chan Kam Siu Islands
Chan Siu Tung Wong Tai
Sin
Lau Wai Chung Tuen Mun
Wang Ji Yan Kowloon
City
Wan Chi Fai Wan Chai
Liu Fook Kwong North
(III) Mobile Phone Category
Prize Name
----- ----
Champion Chan Yu Hung
First Runner Up Ivy Chan Yuk Wah
Second Runner Up Chan Chi Hong
Merit Lo Wai Ting
Lau Cheuk Ling #
Tong Ping Kuen
Tsang Chak Hung
Sung Poh Yi
Chan Chi Hong
Law Kan Yeung
Liu Chung Yi
Foo Yin Fei
Remarks: #Two winning entries
Ends/Saturday, April 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:16
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