ARPAQC
My
McLaren
PS/Lord Glenarthur
CONFIDENTIAL
MKD 306/2
15FEB:99
From: A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
Minister
HONG KONG: FILM CENSORSHIP
Problem
Date:
2 February 1989
CC:
Private Secretary
Mr Gillmore
FED
16
1.
A film produced in Taiwan, which has been banned five times
before in Hong Kong, has been resubmitted to the Hong Kong
authorities for a licence to be shown in the territory. After
carefully weighing all the considerations, the Governor has concluded
that, on balance, the film should not be banned on this occasion.
But this would involve the risk of provoking a row with the Chinese
before or during the forthcoming visit of Vice Minister Zhou Nan to
Hong Kong. The Governor's advice is that we should nevertheless
press ahead with the decision as soon as possible.
Recommendation
2.
I recommend that we endorse the Governor's decision and accept
his advice on timing. FED concur.
Background
A 3. The background to this problem is set out in Hong Kong telno
The film in question, "If I Were For Real", has been banned
five times previously in Hong Kong, under the old film censorship
319.
CONFIDENTIAL