CONFIDENTIAL
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YUGA AB
Mr Paul, HKD
Paul,
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Ma Maude agrees your recommendation
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1018.
PS/Mr Maude
14/8 MKD 306/2
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From: A R Paul
Date:
CC:
Hong Kong Department
9 August 1989
Private Secretary
Mr Gillmore
FED
HONG KONG: FILM CENSORSHIP:
"PORTRAIT OF A FANATIC
Problem
1.
A Taiwanese film, which has been banned previously in Hong
Kong, has been resubmitted to the Hong Kong authorities for a
licence to be shown in the territory. How should they respond?
Recommendation
2.
The Hong Kong Government do not propose to ban the film.
I recommend that we endorse this decision. The Ambassador in
Peking and FED concur.
Background
3.
The Hong Kong Government have always had powers to ban films on political grounds. The criterion has been whether the showing of a particular film would "damage relations with other
territories". This was of course code for "annoy the Chinese".
There has long been a tacit understanding that the Hong Kong
authorities would seek to prevent provocative acts (such as the
showing of anti Communist propaganda films) in Hong Kong.
CONFIDENTIAL