Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 453 Hong Kong Provincial Administration

The following day, the Hong Kong "Anti-Piracy Alliance" held a large-scale march themed on combating piracy. Hong Kong actors Jack Cheng, Stephen Chow, and other artists walked the streets, calling on the government to crack down on piracy.

The artists hope that the large-scale march will reiterate the potential crisis posed by piracy, raise public awareness of the industry's plight, and thus support the protection of intellectual property rights.

Aaron, with his arm around Wang Zhuxian, watched the Hong Kong artists parading and couldn't help but purse his lips, "You were right, they really are parading!"

Wang Zhuxian nodded. "I also received the news in Taipei."

Wang Zhuxian was originally in Taipei and also received the news, but she did not participate in the march!

"In response to the protest, all cinemas in Hong Kong suspended screenings for a day, and radio stations also stopped broadcasting records and music all day to support the anti-piracy campaign;"

"The Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild mobilized collectively in hopes that the government will take this matter seriously and that the Hong Kong film industry will fully cooperate."

"However, this march is not a protest; it is simply a way to reflect the opinions of industry professionals and to raise public and societal awareness of the film industry!"

The Hong Kong film industry was already in a slump, and now, under the impact of factors such as piracy, it has truly reached a critical juncture of life and death.

A few years ago, during the heyday of Hong Kong cinema, 200 films were produced annually. Now, that number is less than half, and the number continues to decline.

This outcome has directly impacted the livelihoods of film and television professionals, forcing many to change careers to survive!
Aaron kissed Wang Zhuxian on the cheek and said with a sigh, "A few years ago, Hong Kong's film and record industries were still in a leading position in Asia, but now they have been shrinking."

"Although the decline of Hong Kong's film and record industries was affected by a variety of problems, rampant piracy was certainly an important reason."

Wang Zhuxian nodded, "Yes, there are fewer and fewer movies in Hong Kong, and everyone is very worried!"

In an interview, Jack Cheng stated, "If the piracy problem isn't resolved, he might choose to emigrate."

"It's not because of 1997, it's because of piracy!"

Aaron simply smiled and changed the subject, "I heard someone wants to acquire Media Asia Films?"

Piracy is a difficult problem to solve, especially in a region like Hong Kong!
"Yes, Emperor Entertainment Group from Hong Kong acquired Fitto Records two years ago, thus entering the record industry."

"Now, they want to acquire Media Asia Films and enter the film and television industry!"

Emperor Group is a company that started as a watch shop and now also has businesses in finance and securities, real estate and furniture.
It's clear that after acquiring Fitto Records, Emperor Entertainment Group intends to enter the film and television industry.

Aaron certainly remembered Emperor Entertainment, but it wasn't on his mind. "And what about you? Do you want to sell Media Asia Films?"

Wang Zhuxian shook her head. "No, Media Asia Films is doing so well right now, they'll definitely refuse Emperor Entertainment's acquisition offer!"

"Hmm, is there any other trouble?"

“No, not at all,” Wang Zhuxian said, kissing Aaron on the lips. “Media Asia Films has foreign capital backing it up; not many people dare to mess with it.”

"However, a movie invested in by Media Asia is currently being filmed, and there are members of the triads causing trouble!"

The series "Young and Dangerous 4: Invincible", produced by Media Asia Investment and Best Partner Company, is currently being filmed in Hong Kong.

The film set was harassed by unidentified individuals.

"They're collecting protection money, aren't they?" Aaron was aware of this tradition in Hong Kong cinema!

"Pretty much, anyway, Hong Kong has always been like this, very chaotic; "It should get a little better after this year..."

At the Peninsula Hotel, Aaron attended a top-tier political and business ball in Hong Kong, and he specially brought along Miss Asia winner Yang Gongru.

"It seems your ATV boss is planning to acquire the Furama Hotel!"

Aaron hugged Yang Gongru and kissed her, then casually spoke.

Acquiring a hotel at this time? That's utterly suicidal!
"It's Lai Sun Development, right? There have been quite a few reports in the newspapers, and I heard the premium is very high."

ATV, where Yang Gongru worked, belonged to Lai Sun Development Group.

Lai Sun International, owned by the Lim Por-yen family, is now mainly managed by Lim Kin-yue, who previously pursued Wang Chu-hsien!

"Lim Por-yen's eldest son, Lam Kin-ming, is a notorious playboy in Hong Kong. I've heard he has affairs with many ATV actresses and former Miss Asia contestants."

"That old guy didn't bother you, did he?"

Lam Kin-ming is Lam Kin-yue's older brother; they're cut from the same cloth. However, Lam Kin-ming was so bad at business that he stopped managing it and became a notorious playboy in Hong Kong!
Yang Gongru smiled and glanced at the Lin brothers, Lin Jianming and Lin Jianyue, who were not far away with Luo Zhaohui, Liu Luanxiong, and others.

“No, and I won’t pay any attention to him,” Yang Gongru said, linking her arm with Aaron’s. “Anyway, working at ATV isn’t a necessity for me!”

Aaron nodded, but in his heart he was thinking about trying to acquire Lai Sun Development when the financial crisis broke out next year and the Hong Kong real estate bubble burst.

At that time, Lai Sun Development's stock price will definitely plummet. This year, Lai Sun Development wanted to acquire Furama Hotel, but it wouldn't be enough to pay out all its cash and it would have to borrow money!
The Furama Hotel is currently owned by the Fu family, one of the four major families in Hong Kong in the early days, and the Macau gambling king.

“Hmm, wait for me a moment,” Aaron said, seeing Governor Chris Patten.

Soon after, Aaron Kwok clinked glasses with Chris Patten, the outgoing Governor of Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is supposed to be an international free port, so why is the environment so tense and the security so chaotic?"

"Can't the mighty British Empire even manage this small place?"

"Huh?" Chris Patten was taken aback. "Aaron, has someone in Hong Kong offended you again?"

That shouldn't be the case. People in Hong Kong look up to Westerners and would never dare to offend someone as powerful as Aaron Anderson.

Apple Daily, published by Next Media back in the day, is a stark example!

Aaron glanced at it. "I invested in a film company in Hong Kong, and I'm constantly being harassed on set."

"Even though you're leaving, can't you at least manage things properly?"

Aaron shook his head. "Hong Kong, after all, is the Pearl of the South China Sea. Such a beautiful city, and now it's a mess."

"With a population of less than 500 million, you've managed to create hundreds of thousands of members in the underworld!"

Chris Patten remained unfazed by Aaron's merciless sarcasm, but someone interjected, "This is unavoidable. Over the years, there have been people illegally crossing the border; they are the source."

Aaron looked over and saw a pale, wrinkled old woman walking towards him!
"Who is this?"

"Oh, this is the Hong Kong Provincial Treasurer!"

(End of this chapter)