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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
high quality black and white reproductions of documents, drawings and personal messages up to A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm). These items are available within hours at the overseas destination. Since August, the Intelpost service between Hong Kong and the United King- dom has been expanded to provide a special greeting facility.
Postage rates for letters and printed papers posted for local delivery and to China, Taiwan and Macau were revised on October 1. The basic rate for a local letter was increased from 30 cents to 40 cents and that for China, Taiwan and Macau from 40 cents to 50 cents. An air parcel service to the People's Republic of China was introduced in April. During the year, an A4 size official aerogramme was introduced to provide more writing space but maintaining the same rate of postage.
A major new post office was opened in March in Tsim Sha Tsui, replacing a temporary office in use since March 1979. The new office, which in terms of business turnover ranks second after the General Post Office, is equipped with 9 000 post office boxes. To cope with the expansion in delivery services in the Yuen Long and Aberdeen areas, the counter sections of the Yuen Long Post Office and Aberdeen Post Office were housed in leased premises. In addition, four post offices were opened during the year, bringing the total number to 94.
There were four special stamp issues in 1983. In January, three stamps were issued with Hong Kong's performing arts as the theme and featuring the Chinese characters for dance, drama and music. To commemorate Commonwealth Day, four stamps were issued on March 14 showing an aerial view of Victoria Harbour and its surrounding areas, a container ship entering the harbour, the Hong Kong flag and HM Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Hong Kong in 1975. Hong Kong by night was chosen as the theme for four stamps issued in August, and a set of four stamps was issued in November to commemo- rate the centenary of the Royal Observatory. In response to keen philatelic interest and to provide an additional sales outlet, a fifth philatelic sales point was established at the new Granville Road Post Office.
Telecommunications Services
As a leading financial, commercial and industrial centre in Asia, Hong Kong depends on efficient and reliable telecommunications both within the territory and internationally. Telecommunications services are provided by two local companies, Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited and Cable and Wireless (Hong Kong) Limited.
The Postmaster General is the Telecommunications Authority and he administers the Telecommunication Ordinance which governs the establishment and operation of all telecommunications services. He also acts as adviser to the government on matters concerning the provision and operation of public telecommunications services and the technical aspects of radio and television broadcasting.
The Post Office manages the radio frequency spectrum to ensure that it is utilised efficiently, and grants licences, under the Telecommunication Ordinance, for all forms of radio communication within Hong Kong. It maintains surveillance of the radio frequency bands to detect illegal transmissions and interference emanating from sources within and around the territory. It conducts examinations leading to the issue of the Certificate of Competence in Radiotelephony or Radiotelegraphy to radio operating personnel in compliance with the International Radio Regulations. It also conducts inspections of ships' radio stations to ensure compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
In addition, the Post Office provides advisory and planning services for the communica- tions requirements of government departments, and co-ordinates and regulates the use of