THE MEDIA
189
Services Department to handle publicity for the 'Clean Hong Kong' office. Staff in a number of departmental units were also increased to strengthen their links with media and the public.
The Publicity Division's work is wide-ranging and it includes the handling of the government's major publicity campaigns - such as road safety, the anti-narcotics drive, industrial safety, fire prevention, safety at home, the district administration scheme and the fight against crime. About 30 minor campaigns are also co-ordinated and many promo- tional events are staged within district communities by means of live shows, a mobile street theatre and film shows.
Photography, film-making, the staging of exhibitions, publishing and the design of books, leaflets and posters all come under the Publicity Division.
GIS produces a wide variety of publications ranging from leaflets and fact sheets to the Hong Kong Annual Report – which has become the best selling hardback book in the territory and other full-colour books. Sales of government publications rose by 32 per cent to more than $12.7 million in 1981, compared with $9.6 million in 1980.
-
The overseas public relations sub-division helps visiting correspondents, television and film crews, and works closely with news agencies and overseas journalists based in Hong Kong. During 1981 international interest continued to be taken in the high level of illegal immigration from China and in Vietnamese boat refugees stranded in Hong Kong while waiting for resettlement abroad. GIS officers arranged programmes, handled enquiries and gave briefings to 1 000 visiting journalists, film teams and broadcasters. The sub-division also started production of radio and television tapes for overseas media.
To keep people overseas up to date on local events, the sub-division produces a weekly news-sheet in English The Week in Hong Kong. Another GIS publication, the Hong Kong News Digest, a fortnightly Chinese paper, helps to maintain a close contact with Hong Kong Chinese living in Britain, the United States and other parts of the world.
At the Hong Kong Government Office in London, the news and public affairs division works closely with GIS to provide a press service for the British media and an inquiry and information service for the public about events and developments in Hong Kong.
During the year, the office organised the first major presentation at London's latest cultural complex, the Barbican Centre. An invited audience of some 3 000 guests, including HRH Princess Alexandra, saw a 60-minute presentation featuring a multi-screen audio visual show which illustrated the change of Hong Kong from a sleepy outpost of the Empire to a bustling city; an exciting fashion show adapted from the 1981 Pret A Porter in Paris, Hong Kong Style; and performances by leading young dancers from the territory.
Film Industry
By the end of 1981 the number of cinemas in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories stood at 82. However, with rising property values it is expected that this figure may decline slightly during the coming year. The annual cinema attendance totalling about 65 million did not differ much from that of the previous year. Related to the population, the high attendance figures demonstrate that cinema-going remains a very popular leisure activity.
The number of locally-produced films was 130 in comparison with 142 for 1980. While imported films continue to be popular, many Western box-office successes are summarily dismissed by cinema-goers when released in Hong Kong. There are some exceptions, however, such as For Your Eyes Only which grossed $11 million. On the other hand, a relatively low-budget, locally-produced film which happens to strike the