COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
229
at the overseas destinations. Facilities are also available to accept for overseas delivery Intelpost items which are transmitted over the local telephone network direct from facsimile machines operated by commercial organisations in Hong Kong.
The Post Office issued five sets of special stamps in 1985. These touched on the history, traditions, and the modern way of life in the territory. The first of the five sets, issued in March, consisted of four stamps which depict four historical buildings in Hong Kong. For the first time in the history of the Hong Kong Post Office, a set of A4 size reproductions of the stamp artwork printed on high quality paper was placed on sale with this special stamp issue. A set of four stamps in se-tenant design depicting the Dragon Boat Festival was issued in June. When joined together these four stamps show a complete dragon boat in action. A miniature sheet highlighting this se-tenant was also released. In August, a set of four stamps depicting the life and times of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was released. This set of stamps formed part of an omnibus series issued in conjunction with 19 other postal administrations. Another set of six stamps featuring six flowers indigenous to the territory was released in September. A set of postcards showing the stamps in enlarged size was also placed on sale with this issue. The last set of special stamps was issued in November. It consisted of four stamps depicting four new buildings in Hong Kong.
A new A4 size pictorial aerogramme priced at $1.10 was introduced in April. The aerogramme features the bauhinia flower, Hong Kong's floral emblem, printed on beige colour paper. In the same month, a convenient folder containing 10 $1.30 stamps was issued for the benefit of both residents and tourists. A special philatelic bureau pictorial handstamp was introduced in July. This handstamp features a traditional sailing junk.
Certain postal fees and charges were revised on September 2 to take into account increased handling costs. The basic letter rate was increased from 40 cents to 50 cents while the minimum airmail postage rates for Zone 1 (Asia) and Zone 2 (all other countries) were increased to $1.30 and $1.70 respectively. This was the first major increase in airmail postage rates in over 30 years.
Telecommunication Services
As a leading financial, commercial and industrial centre in Asia, Hong Kong depends on efficient and reliable telecommunications both within the territory and interna- tionally.
Telecommunication services are provided by two franchised local companies, Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited and Cable and Wireless (Hong Kong) Limited.
The Postmaster General is the Telecommunications Authority and he adminis- ters the Telecommunication Ordinance and the Telephone Ordinance which govern the establishment and operation of all telecommunication services. He also acts as adviser to the government on matters concerning the provision and operation of pub- lic telecommunication 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