AWARD-WINNING Hong Kong film actress Maggie Cheung, who stepped out of spotlight since winning the best actress at Cannes in 2004, has returned to show business. This time, though, she will be a singer.

    Cheung, 50, has signed with Beijing-based Modern Sky Records, the music label announced on its website Thursday.

    “Maggie Cheung has a special voice that is easily recognized and remembered,” said Shen Lihui, founder and president of Modern Sky, in a statement posted on the company’s website.

    He also said signing Cheung was based on his long-time observation of Cheung’s musical talent. “In 2012 at a Beijing event, Cheung sang a self-written song, ‘Visionary Heart,’ which impressed audience members very much.”

    Cheung also said in the statement that she has had a passion for music since she was born. “I’ve been an actress for many years, but I never stop listening to music. I love to find different types of music and I hope I can share my feelings with fans through my music.”

    Raised in England, Cheung has over 70 films to her credit since starting her career in 1983. After winning numerous awards in Hong Kong, Cheung was a jury member for a string of international festivals, including the 1997 Berlin Film Festival, the 1999 Venice Film Festival and the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

    As Emily Wang in French movie “Clean,” her last starring role, she became the first Asian actress to win a prize at the Cannes Film Festival. As part of her portrayal of recovering drug addict and aspiring singer, Cheung performed songs written by David Roback of Mazzy Star and Dean Wareham of Dean & Britta in “Clean.”

    Since her Cannes moment in 2004, Cheung turned her back on films and shifted her focus to philanthropy, music composition and editing.

    Li said Cheung has composed and written 16 English songs, but when her debut album will come out is still unknown.(Cao Zhen)