1987-07-09 09:22 COMMS. OFFICE (GOV'T HSE)
852 5 845 0995 P.05
of people who make and watch films cannot be
absolute. They have to be tempered by other peoples'
rights and what is best in the interest of the
community as a whole. Indeed, all members of the Council, by accepting that some form
form of censorship
should be maintained in Hong
this reality which
which is common
communities.
Kong, have recognised
all
to most, if not all
So, we have to decide whether the degree of
infringement of this freedom, which is likely to
result from the retention of this clouse is in the
interest of the community as a whole. Whether the
fact that Hong Kong people may be prevented from seeing, at the most, one or two political films a year
is a reasonable price to pay to ensure that
that Hong
Kong's relations with other territories are not
damaged.
When we come to make the decision we should
remember that Hong Kong has not prospered over the past decades by allowing film makers, by the use of propaganda, to upset our trading partners or stick pins into our neighbours. For all the years that
REGULATION Hong Kong has had this clause the Authorities have
exercised it sparingly. (Furthermore, I suggest that in using they have had the understanding and support
of Hong Kong's people who well accept the importance
A