XN000022-1987-04-02 — Page 6

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1987

FURTHER LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS

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THE PRESENT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ARE ARRANGEMENTS OF A TRANSITIONAL NATURE TO MEET THE IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE OF INCLUDING A RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT IN BN(0) PASSPORTS AND C OF 1'S.

ON JULY 1, 1997 PEOPLE WILL ACQUIRE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN SECTION XIV OF ANNEX TO THE JOINT DECLARATION.

TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, FURTHER LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WILL BE INTRODUCED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 1997 TO BRING THE PROVISIONS REGARDING THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG COMPLETELY INTO LINE WITH THOSE SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.

PUBLIC COMMENTS SOUGHT ON FILM CENSORSHIP BILL

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THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL, WHICH SEEKS TO INCORPORATE THE PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING FILM CENSORSHIP AND TO PROVIDE FOR A FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMENTS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP ON FILM CLASSIFICATION AND CENSORSHIP AT JACKSON ROAD BY MAY 15.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID FILM CENSORSHIP HAD BEEN PRACTISED IN HONG KONG SINCE 1953 AND HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC AS A GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY.

AT PRESENT, THE PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR APPROVING OR DISAPPROVING A FILM ARE CODIFIED IN A NOTE OF GUIDANCE+ ISSUED IN 1973 FOR REFERENCE BY THE FILM INDUSTRY AND THE PUBLIC. THESE PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA COVER A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS, FROM SEX AND VIOLENCE, TO RACE AND RELIGION, TO CONTEMPT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND HARM TO GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DRAFT BILL WAS AIMED AT REGULARISING THE PRESENT FILM CENSORSHIP PROCESS AND EMBODYING IN LAW THE PRINCIPLES OF CENSORSHIP CURRENTLY EXERCISED ADMINISTRATIVELY THROUGH THE +NOTE OF GUIDANCE+.

/HE EXPLAINED