Aspiring poets are polishing their pens and preparing to enter a poetry contest with the theme of friendship. The contest, sponsored by the South China Morning Post, Apple Daily, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, The British Council, M and C Saatchi Advertising, Gregg and Bailey and the Royal Commonwealth Society, also aims to boost literacy standards and creativity. Businessman David Tang Wing-cheung, organiser and president of the society, said: 'It is a shame that the Hong Kong Government only promotes information technology but there was not one word mentioned in this year's Policy Address about promoting Chinese culture.' Mr Tang said friendship was a good topic for both adults and children. 'Everyone has friends and one should have some feeling or other about friendship,' he said. 'I am not only expecting poems to praise friendship but also to describe the darker side of human nature.' There are four categories in the competition: senior and under 16s in both English and Chinese. The only stipulation is that poems cannot exceed the maximum length of 14 lines. Winners in each category will receive $10,000 and their work will be published in the Post and Apply Daily and on posters in the MTR. Chiu Cheung-ki, of Ming Sha, a historic Chinese poets' association, is one of the judges for Chinese language entries. He encouraged young people to write poems. 'Poems allow you to express your innermost feelings.' He said the education system disregarded the importance of studying poetry, leading the present generation to lack creativity and be less literate. 'Nowadays the media tend to use more visuals and less words. But in fact playing with words is fun,' he said. 'You don't need to follow rigid rhyme patterns. If you know nothing about poetry, you can start with modern poems. Simple words are good enough, but the tip is to maintain a musical tone. 'The major difference between poetry and prose is that words used in poetry are more indirect so it gives the imagination more freedom.' Mr Chiu said the secret of writing a good poem was to write from the heart. Aspiring poets needed creative minds to find a link between the things around them and their writing should convey their own views to the reader. 'Poetry is a bridge between poet and reader,' he said. Those interested in participating in the competition can send their work, with a copy of their ID card and contact details, to: The Hong Kong Poetry Competition, The British Council, 3 Supreme Court Road, Admiralty. The closing date is November 30. Winning Chinese and English poems to be published and featured on MTR posters