ENG-1953 — Page 203

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1953

features for the Forces), while Sunday's broadcasts are con- tinuous, starting at 10 a.m. in the morning. On public holidays, Radio Hong Kong transmits all day, starting at 8 a.m.

The highlight of the broadcasting year was, of course, the Coronation. Coverage fell into two distinct parts: the prepara- tory programmes and the great events of June 2nd itself. No less than forty explanatory programmes were put out before the Coronation, which included a special series in Chinese to illustrate the history and the special meaning of the occasion. As the day approached a number of feature programmes with full actuality were broadcast on local celebrations. These included the Youth Festival and the two Chinese features "Hong Kong Prepares to Celebrate" and "The Birth of the Dragon". Coverage of local events on June 2nd, from early morning to late afternoon, achieved a record in the number of outside broadcasts produced during any single day. Moreover, most of these were "double broadcasts" put over simultaneously in English and Chinese. In the evening, Radio Hong Kong went over to the BBC and for over seven hours relayed the whole of the Coronation Ceremonies from London. After June 2nd Radio Hong Kong continued to broadcast programmes on celebrations in the New Territories. It is also of interest to note that, at the request of the BBC, four special items were sent to London as Hong Kong's contribution to the Coronation programmes. One of these was transmitted by radiotelephone on June 2nd which meant that the sounds of Hong Kong's celebrations were heard throughout the world on the evening of Coronation Day.

It is a basic aim of Radio Hong Kong to increase the number of programmes which reflect the varied activities of all sections of the community. This plan was vigorously pursued during the year, with the result that the volume of locally originated broadcasts in 1953 was a record. The rise

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