British Embassy
11 Guang Hua Lu Jian Guo Men Wai Peking People's Republic of China
Telex 22191 Cable Prodrome Peking
Telephone 521961/2/3/4/5
C T Wood Esq
Hong Kong Department
FCO
Mr
FH306/2
(!)
Dean Chyngwlin
FILM CENSORSHIP IN CHINA
Your reference
Our reference
014/1
Date
un
30
1. Given the parallel with events in Hong Kong some two years ago, you may be interested to learn of a report in the China Daily of 10 July to the effect that a film censorship system, designed to offer guidance on the suitability of films for showing to children aged 16 and under, has now been introduced on a trial basis (the introduction of such a system was foreshadowed in Peter Clark's letter to Far Eastern Department of 26 July last year).
2. The system provides for four categories of films:
(i)
(ii)
those dealing with rape, robbery, drug taking and smuggling and prostitution
films containing scenes of violence, murder and assault which could 'terrify' young children
(iii) films containing scenes of 'abnormal social phenomena'
(whatever those may be!)
(iv) films considered acceptable for general viewing.
Films in the first three categories may not be shown on television or in the open air in the countryside. When shown in a cinema, a notice advising of their contents must be shown.
3. The aims of this system are said to be:
(i)
(ii)
4.
to shield children from scenes that may influence them to commit crimes
to end disputes among film makers, examiners and commentators about the suitability of films for release.
We have not yet seen a copy of the new regulations as issued and are not therefore in a position to judge whether concerns expressed when the draft was issued in July 1988, eg that some articles are too general, have been addressed.
/5.