Turning now to news from the world of film. Hundreds of directors, film stars and celebrities from around the globe just descended on Hong Kong for the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

More than 300 films from over 40 countries and regions will be screened at the sixteen-day festival. Chinese Mainland director Li Shaohong attended the opening ceremony, along with both the hero and heroine of her latest work  Baober in Love. Stars Huang Jue and Zhou Xun helped present the movie at Tuesday's opening ceremony. Another acclaimed Mainland Chinese film, Morning, Beijing, directed by Pan Jianlin, is being shown at the festival.

In addition, the organizers arranged some outdoor cinemas for the first time. A CD collecting some of the award-winning film songs will be released.

Authoritative actors and actresses were invited to judge the prizewinners. The presenter of the festival, Hong Kong Arts Development Council, hopes it will become Asia's top movie gathering with the support of Chinese mainland's grand market.

(CCTV.com April 9, 2004)