Eric Tsang Steps Down As President of Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild

Facing public criticism for his organizations’s inaction during the free-to-air license protests, Eric Tsang (曾志偉) announced that he will resign from his post as president of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild (香港演藝人協會) on October 23.

Hong Kong citizens became enraged last week after the government revealed its decision to reject HKTV’s free-to-air broadcast license. An online movement formed soon after, and over 120,000 locals attended a protest rally on October 20 to demand an explanation and to appeal the decision. Prior to the rally, the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers (香港電影工作者總會) publicly declared their support for HKTV, calling the judgment unfair and criticized the government for not being transparent.

Two of the Federation’s ten member organizations were noticeably absent during Saturday’s joint press conference: Hong Kong Film Arts Association (香港電影美術學會) and Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild. The public quickly pointed fingers at Performing Artistes Guild president Eric Tsang, saying that he placed gag orders in order to maintain his close ties with TVB.

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On October 21, film producer Stephen Shiu (蕭若元) alleged that Eric phoned Federation Chairman Ng See Yuen (吳思遠) ahead of Sunday’s protest to ban the Federation from participating in the rally. Shiu also accused the Film Arts Association for being Eric’s pawn and questioned Eric’s integrity.

Eric denied Shiu’s accusations today, saying that he has absolutely no say in Film Arts Association’s decisions. As for why the Guilds were absent during Saturday’s joint statement, Eric explained that the Federation typically would not issue statements until its members reach a unanimous decision. Working in China at the time, Eric agreed to the call for transparency though was hesitant to support Ricky Wong (王維基) or HKTV. He suggested for the Federation to hold a meeting to discuss the issue, but Chairman Ng and Hong Kong Film Directors Guild’s (香港電影導演會) president Derek Yee (爾冬陞) green-lit the press release without Eric’s consent. “If we could discuss it and come to a mutual understanding, maybe all of us would have worn black shirts on Sunday to support our colleagues.”

Eric added, “From an artist’s perspective, more TV licenses means more opportunities… our guild’s purpose has always been to seek benefits for our members without being embroiled in politics….” He feels that he did not handle the matter in a satisfactory manner, and decided to step down from his post. Eric emphasized that his resignation has nothing to do with his relationship with TVB, and stated that he simply wants to be free to express his own opinions.

Source: Oriental Sunday

This article is written by Katrine for JayneStars.com.

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Responses

  1. Oh please Eric, we all know what’s going on with you and TVB. Acting like a boss and sometimes pimp out Miss HK to rich guys.

  2. Guess I’m only one of the few who supports him for this incident…. If he’s truly hypocritical, he wouldn’t have step down.

    1. I do support him. I feel that he was sincere in stepping down, admitting what happened.

    2. @Polypeptide: You’re not the only one…I still have a lot of respect for Eric even though I don’t approve of a lot of his antics and get annoyed at times by his big mouth (plus I have different views than him on most issues). But at the end of the day, he has definitely done a lot for the HK entertainment industry the past 3 decades and to me, that should be commended. The fact that Eric decided to step down on his own accord already says a lot about his willingness to accept responsibility, at least from my perspective.

  3. Personally speaking, I think it is a good thing that Eric is stepping up and admitting that everyone has a fault. But as the “head’ of the group, he needs to step up and take the responsibility.

    And after listening to his interview (video on the original link), he seems sincere..

  4. Eric did the right thing by stepping down from his position as President of HKPAG. In order to serve effectively in those types of positions, one has to be neutral when it comes to issues like ths license one and given his ties to TVB, it’s definitely difficult for him to take a neutral position and in a way, it also creates a ‘conflict of interest’. Removing himself from that position is definitely the right move for his own sake as well as for the sake of HKPAG.

  5. What a load of rubbish! He did nothing to help the poor standards of TVB. I wouldn’t be surprised if TVB are the culprits. ARF…..ARF….

  6. Think it’s difficult situation for him, best for him now is to shut up. His stepping down makes him don’t look as bad. Make friends, not enemy.

  7. i support him…never his fans…you say people in HK has freedom of speech! How come I feel like people are force people to support HKTV, support more free license…support free license to HKTV…if they don’t, they will be get yell at???? why

    1. Agree. HKRV is like little kid throwing tantrum at his parents for not giving what he wants. I want it and you have to give it to me!!

  8. I support Eric in this situation. It doesn’t look like he did anything wrong to me. There’s a reason he was elected president and it’s not because he has ethic problems.

  9. I love Eric. He’s funny. Haters will hate.

    HKTV drama for ur mama needs to go.

  10. why a good kind father and husband like eric have such fate. why?

  11. So… anyone not in support of HKTV is not in support of HK democracy? When Eric was previously interviewed he gave his reason. He was in support of the HK gov’t decision because HKTV is the smallest station (with least funds) that submitted out of the 3; therefore, the least likely to succeed. Everyone is just too emotional right now.

  12. Hong Kong Film Arts Association (香港電影美術學會) and Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild should have the freedom to not join the rally if they don’t want to.

    This is what true democracy is.

    I want HKTV to get the license too. But, condemning anyone who dare to voice his/her support for the government’s decision or did not support the rally is extreme. It’s mob mentality.

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