HONG KONG, Nov 27: It took more than 30 years, 100,000 dollars and a lot of lobbying, but late martial arts legend Bruce Lee on Sunday finally got the recognition his legions of fans worldwide feel he deserves with a monument in Hong Kong, the city that made him famous.

A bronze statue to the high-kicking kung fu star was unveiled on Sunday evening before friends, family and local officials in a ceremony on what would have been Lee’s 65th birthday.

The 2.5-metre tall, 600 kilogram monument, placed along the harbour front Avenue of the Stars, Hong Kong’s equivalent of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, is the culmination of years of badgering and fund-raising by the Bruce Lee Club.

The Hong Kong statue, which has the words “Star of the Century: Bruce Lee” carved on the base, was created by renowned Chinese sculptor Cao Chongen and transported from his workshop in south China’s Guangzhou city.

Although born in the United States, it was here that Lee made the movies — among them “Big Boss” and “Fist of Fury” — that created his legend.

The unveiling ceremony was the highlight of the city’s inaugural week-long Bruce Lee Festival, which featured screenings of rare footage of the star and tours of Lee’s schools, homes and the studios where he made his movies.—AFP