TNAG-1690-FCO40-2340-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 44

CONFIDENTIAL

[Hong Kong Government inadvertently attacking freedom of expression. as a whole, cf film censorship controversyl

17.

Power

—

Plainly not so. Any responsible government needs to have a power to censor some films in extreme cases for public good, etc. In Hong Kong's particular circumstances, justifiable to retain some power to censor on grounds of international relationships. rarely used in past. Total of 20 films censored in past 15 years not all because of Chinese sensitivities. Similar powers retained by many other Western states. Confident Hong Kong Government will continue to use power as carefully and sparingly as has done in the

past.

CONFIDENTIAL