Hong Kong has become the most popular trading center in Asia for entertainment content, according to a survey released Friday.

The survey interviewed 332 exhibitors and buyers from around the world at the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum HAF).

More than 50 percent of the respondents said they acquired entertainment content from Hong Kong in 2006. The Chinese mainland, Japan, South Korea and Thailand, respectively, followed Hong Kong in terms of content acquisition.

Even more respondents indicated that they would source entertainment from Hong Kong in the next 12 months. They also cited Hong Kong as the best place to reach out to the Chinese mainland and other Asian areas in exploring co-production opportunities and meeting buyers.

The survey indicated that more television professionals plan to expand their business in Hong Kong with 86 percent and the Chinese mainland with 90 percent.

The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) was noted by the survey respondents as a useful means of finding investment for film projects. South Korea's Pusan Promotion Plan and Japan's Tokyo Project Gathering were also mentioned as preferred film investment events in Asia.

Respondents were particularly bullish about the growth potential of the digital entertainment sector. About 90 percent of the respondents said digital entertainment had the greatest growth potential.

FILMART and HAF, two of Entertainment Expo's core events, opened on March 20 and concluded on Friday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. Entertainment Expo will continue till April 15.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2007)