Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung today congratulated Hong Kong comics and illustration artist Pen So on receiving the silver award at the 16th Japan International MANGA Award with his work See You In Memories.

Mr So was one of the 15 artists selected in the first Comics Support Programme. Sponsored by Create Hong Kong, the programme supports and nurtures Hong Kong comics artists and startups.

The culture chief said Mr So's work presented to the world Hong Kong's unique landscape with contrasting strokes in black and white.

“We are thrilled to learn that his work is well recognised by international counterparts and stood out from many others. The award is a strong testimony to the diverse talent pool in Hong Kong's creative industry.”

Mr So descibed the feeling of being awarded as "magical" and thanked the Comics Support Programme for making it possible for local comics artists to create their own works.

A record number of 503 works from 77 countries and regions competed for the Japan International MANGA Award this year.

Eleven Hong Kong comics artists have been awarded in the previous 15 editions of the award.