Print will make comeback, say politicians, showbiz stars as they take home trophies at Hong Kong’s ‘Oscars of books’
Fourth Golden Book Awards sees high-profile winners including Regina Ip and singer Rebecca Pan Di-hua
The decline of the printed word may seem like a foregone conclusion, but politicians, officials and showbiz personalities gathered for Hong Kong’s Golden Book Awards on Wednesday were convinced it is only a matter of time before ink makes a comeback.
“I’ve been publishing books for 10 years now and I’m naturally delighted to finally get recognition from both the publishing industry and the voting public,” said Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of Hong Kong’s legislature whose book The Globe of Ip Lau was a winner in the political-economic category.
She said the printed media were currently “under stress” due to the rise of the internet.
“Young people spend less time reading books, but I think reading is more than catching headlines. So I encourage them to read in depth and analytically,” said Ip, who is also a member of the Executive Council that advises Hong Kong’s leader on policy.