Hong Kong film stars honored

HONG KONG, April 27 (UPI) -- The handprints of action film star Jackie Chan and director John Woo are among more than 70 film stars honored on Hong Kong's new Avenue of the Stars.

In addition to Chan, plaques along the 500-yard-long waterfront promenade called Tsim Sha Tsu celebrate Hong Kong Kung Fu stars Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

Hong Kong's prolific Chinese film industry marked its centennial Tuesday with the opening of the $5 million Avenue of the Stars. The spectacularly illuminated walk adjacent to Victoria Harbor and the Hong Kong Museum of Art evokes Hollywood's famous Walk of Fame.

Chan, Hong Kong's ambassador of tourism since 1996, also will launch the United Buddy Bears exhibition in Victoria Park in mid-May. The exhibition will feature 120 life-size bear statues hand-painted by artists from around the world to symbolize international understanding.