TNAG-1689-FCO40-2339-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 261

MKDC

40

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

HKD 30/1

RECHIVING

From the Secretary of State

GB

23 APR 1987

REGISTRY "TAction Takeri

тек 97/4

Ane Norma

16 April 1987

да

Thank you for your letter of 3 April.

Copied to turg Сонгуу

Сс

ра

As you will appreciate, this is primarily a

matter for the Hong Kong Government. I should however

make two points. First the legislation passed by

the Legislative Council on 11 March included the repeal of a number of stringent provisions of the

Control of Publications Consolidation Ordinance which

had been part of the laws of Hong Kong for many years, but which have not prevented the Hong Kong media

from being amongst the most free and outspoken in Asia. In reviewing this legislation and deciding upon these repeals, the Hong Kong Government considered that in such a small and densely-populated place

as Hong Kong, it was nevertheless necessary to retain some power to take action against anyone publishing

false news that might threaten public order. то

make it clear that this was the purpose of the provision,

and that it was not intended as a limitation of the

freedom of the press, that power was transferred

Norman Willis Esq

/from