Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts student Colleen Lee Ka-Ling has won the first prize of the Third Seiler International Piano Competition in Germany - and high praise from the Secretary for Home Affairs.

"Young talent such as Colleen has done Hong Kong proud and continues to make Hong Kong shine on the international arena," Dr Patrick Ho said.

There were 106 pianists ranging in age from 16 to 32 in the competition. More than 40 countries sent contestants, including Russia, France, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Japan, Poland, Israel, Switzerland, South Korea and China.

Ms Lee graduated from HeepYunn School in 1997 and obtained her Bachelor of Music Degree with First Class Honours in 2001 from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She is now pursuing a Professional Diploma at the academy.

Her piano teacher Eleanor Wong accompanied her to Germany. Ms Lee has been studying piano with Ms Wong, a Senior Lecturer and Artist-in- Residence at the academy, since 1987. They will return to Hong Kong the next couple of days.

Ms Lee has won many awards for her performance, including first prize in the 2002 Hamamatsu International Piano Academy Competition in Japan