Publishing 3.0 – HK Smart e-Book Hub Inauguration of “Hong Kong Smart e-Book Hub” at Hong Kong Book Fair 2023

With positive feedback from the industry on the open call, the first collection of “Hong Kong Smart e-Book Hub” with over 1,000 selected Hong Kong-published Chinese e-books were compiled and officially inaugurated on the first day of Hong Kong Fair 2023 on July 19. The latest development and future promotion plan of the “Publishing 3.0” were also introduced in the concurrent seminar to encourage more Hong Kong publishers and writers to participate in the scheme.

The inauguration ceremony was officiated by Mr. Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, GBS, JP, Secretary from Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (middle in the photo on the left). Other distinguished guests included the Honourable Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, JP, Member of the Legislative Council (Sport, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication) of the HKSAR (second left); Mr. Victor Tsang Chiu-hok, Head of CreateHK (first left); Dr. Elvin LEE Ka-kui, Chairman of the HKPF and Chairman of the “Publishing 3.0” Organizing Committee (second right); Ir. Dr. Alan LAM Hiu-fung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the LSCM (first right); Dr. Sharon WONG, Executive Chairlady (Administration) and Mr. Ponch POON, Executive Chairman (Information Technology) of the “Publishing 3.0” Organizing Committee joined Mr. YEUNG in the ceremony.

Mr. Kevin YEUNG Yun-hung remarked that the “Publishing 3.0” could attract more publishers and writers from the Mainland and overseas to collaborate with Hong Kong publishers to produce Chinese and English e-books, as well as audio books in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. This would help develop Hong Kong into a regional hub for copyright trading of e-books and audio books, taking an important step towards industrialization of Hong Kong’s cultural, creative and art works.

Following the inauguration ceremony, a seminar was held to explore technological applications, optimization, transformation, and development trends in the publishing industry. It was hosted by Mr. Ponch POON, Executive Chairman (Information Technology) of the “Publishing 3.0” Organizing Committee, and the panelists included Professor Benny ZEE, Director of the Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services of The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Ir. Dr. Alan LAM Hiu –fung Chairman of the Board of Directors of the LSCM; Dr. Elvin LEE and Dr. Sharon WONG.