Patrick Lamassoure, director of Film France Commission, said Tuesday in Hong Kong that France welcomes Chinese mainland and Hong Kong film makers to invest in France's film industry.

He made the remarks Tuesday at a press conference on "Day of Honor for French Cinema".

He said the priority task of the overseas promotion of the French film industry is to lure investment from Asian countries, especially from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and launch extensive cooperation with film makers in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

He said investment and cooperation could be launched in any links of a film producing procedure -- financing, directing, digital production, marketing or choosing French landscapes for shooting.

Clara Garmard, director of Invest in France Agency, said at the press conference that France welcomes more participation of the Chinese film makers in her country's film making.

She said the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, where have a great potential for film consumption and produce quite a number of films a year. What's more, Chinese film makers want to play a global role in the industry.

She said France is well equipped with film producing high-tech and largest audience in Europe and unlimited shooting locations. She believed that the two countries have great prospect for cooperation.

Germard said, the French government has introduced a multi-layer program for encouraging foreign investment, including several tax-exemption or reducing items specially designed for the film industry.

She said the French government also offer subsidies for a number of films produced in France.

She said about 10 Chinese mainland and Hong Kong films are shown in France, and about 50 others are shown in France cable television programs. In the past year, only about three Chinese mainland and Hong Kong films were produced in France, and France produces about 200 solely funded or jointly produced movies a year.

She added that Zhang Yimou's "Hero" had over 8.5 million of admission while his "House with Flying Daggers" became the best seller among Chinese films shown in France last year, with admission of over 500,000.

Serge Mostura, consulate general of France in Hong Kong, said France has sent a 60-strong film delegation to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Entertainment Expo, to promote French films in Hong Kong and probe ways for further cooperation.

A total of 30 French films will be shown during the expo.

The first Hong Kong Entertainment Expo opened on March 21 and will last until April 6. "The Day of Honor for French Cinema" includes promotion of film making industry at a related exhibition,holding of a French-Chinese Partnership Seminar, a gala premiere of the international acclaimed film "A Very Long Engagement".