The Stars Come Out for Grand Opening of UA Galaxy Cinemas & East Square

15 December 2011 – Since opening in May seven months ago, Galaxy Macau™ has introduced a host of game-changing features to one of the world’s most dynamic leisure destinations. Today “The New Palace of Asia” added two more to the list, rolling out the red carpet this evening for some of Asia’s brightest stars at the Grand Opening of the finest 3D cinema complex in town, UA Galaxy Cinemas, located at Macau’s hottest entertainment complex, the spectacular and new East Square.

Jet Li and Tsui Hark were among the celebrities who gathered together with VIP guests, business leaders, senior government officials and senior company executives to celebrate the launch of the cinemas, which promise to redefine filmgoing in Macau. The program included the premiere of director Tsui Hark’s latest film, The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate 3D – the first Chinese wuxia movie in 3D – starring Mr. Jet Li, Ms. Zhouxun, Mr. Chenkun, Ms. Gui Lunmei and Ms. Li Yu Chun.

The Grand Opening ceremony and gala cocktail party in the evening saw attendees walk down East Square’s red carpet in the first of many world-class, Hollywood-style events and film festivals to come. Officiating at the Grand Opening ceremony was Macau Chief Executive Dr. Chui Sai On.

Speaking at the Grand Opening, Dr. Lui Che-woo, Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG, SEHK stock code: 00027), said, “Galaxy Macau has been attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the resort every day since its grand opening. This gorgeous resort has set a new standard in Cotai and created a hot topic on the local, regional and international scenes. We have proved that our strategy to focus on helping diversify Macau’s leisure and tourism offerings is successful, and we will continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our guests and the local community.”

At a press conference held earlier in the day, Dr. Lui also said, “We hope tonight’s premiere gives a taste of the kind of shows and events the people of Macau, and our thousands of guests, can expect at East Square and UA Galaxy Cinemas. Galaxy Macau was built as a place where people’s holiday wishes come true, and we believe that with the opening of this state-of-the-art multipurpose entertainment facility and Macau’s finest 3D cinema complex, we’re continuing to provide attractions and facilities that have never been available in Macau before.”

During the press conference Mr. Stanley Ko, BBS, JP, Chairman of Lark International Holdings Limited (operator of UA Cinemas and Studio City Cinemas), said, “The eagerly anticipated UA Galaxy Cinemas will be fully supported by UA Cinemas and its 26 years of experience in theater operation and film distribution. It will deliver a world-class cinematic experience to Asian audiences and bring in exciting new elements to Macau, like advanced 3D digital projection and audio technology, the finest theater planning and design, an unlimited choice of films from local productions to Hollywood blockbusters, and a sophisticated online ticketing service. All these will surely promote the development of the local film industry, bringing entertainment in Macau into a new era.”

East Square is a 2,100-square-meter multipurpose leisure and entertainment attraction. It has a 19-meter-high atrium that can accommodate a stage and red carpet activities; multiple LED walls; a state-of-the-art Galaxy Broadcast Studio; and a covered limousine drop-off area at the main entrance.

East Square has been built to accommodate feature entertainment to delight audiences of all kinds. It is destined to become Macau’s favorite place for special events such as carnivals, premium functions, parades, countdown celebrations, exhibitions, cultural extravaganzas, festive performances and much more.

UA Galaxy Cinemas brings a world-class, international-caliber filmgoing experience to Macau for the first time, for the enjoyment of both resort guests and the local community. It occupies nearly 16,000 square meters, with a total capacity of approximately 1,000 luxury cinema seats. The Grand Theatre includes 400 seats and four exclusive balcony boxes. In addition, four premium Director’s Clubs will feature five-star dining and service, a lounge with wait staff, and selfadjustable reclining sofa seats, making them ideal for private, catered events. Four more luxury theatres brings to the total to nine screens, each of which is capable of showing 3D movies and is equipped for functions such as private parties, stage performances, meetings and business presentations.

Both developments are located at the HK$16.5 billion Galaxy Macau, which attracts over 30,000 visitors per day. It is the latest initiative in Galaxy Macau’s strategy to further diversify the local leisure and tourism scene. The development also represents UA Cinemas’ first foray into Macau following expansion into major China cities like Shanghai, Chongqing, Wuhan (under the “Studio City Cinemas” brand), Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Celebrations began with a morning screening of The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate 3D for leading lifestyle, news and business media from Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, followed by a press conference and interviews with the director, cast and company executives. In the evening, celebrities, government dignitaries, business leaders and numerous other VIPs joined the festivities, stepping out at the valet area and strolling down the red carpet into East Square for the gala cocktail party and Grand Opening Ceremony.

Galaxy Macau involved its many fans in the digital community by displaying up-to-the-minute comments from SINA Weibo users on a big-screen TV. The resort also live-streamed all the action from opening day to SINA Weibo, allowing Chinese online audiences to interact with guests on site through their mobile devices.

Owned and developed by GEG, Galaxy Macau is the newest and most exciting integrated destination resort in the Cotai entertainment area. The only property of its kind in the market with true resort features, it opened on 15 May 2011 and has since become one of Macau’s leading attractions, delivering a “World Class, Asian Heart” holiday experience to tens of thousands of visitors from Asia and around the world every day.