The Hong Kong Film Development Council said Sunday it has been trying to tap opportunities in the regional market for Chinese language movies, such as the mainland and Taiwan, as well as Singapore and Malaysia.

It is necessary for the local movie industry to join hands with the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, as well as Singapore and Malaysia and to pool resources of the places to develop the film industry of the region, said Jack So, chairman of the council.

"The market for Chinese language films can be expanded through co-operation in areas such as financing, production and distribution, etc.," he said.

The Film Development Council is an industry promotion arm of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government established in March 2007.

A delegation of more than 20 people led by the council visited Singapore and Malaysia, which was part of the "Hong Kong Film: New Action" project launched last December by the council to promote Hong Kong films.

Singapore and Malaysia, with the population of the Chinese community totaling over nine million, is one of the important markets for Hong Kong movies, said a statement released Sunday by the council.

The visit followed similar trips by the Film Development Council and new generation directors to the neighboring mainland province of Guangdong and Taiwan in December.

The council said it also planned to hold large-scale business forums and promotional sessions during the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market in March.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2009)