ENG-1959 — Page 317

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

continent-are also well represented. The Time and Life magazine organization, the New York Times and Newsweek magazine also maintain bureaux in Hong Kong.

The number of editors, correspondents, broadcasters and televi- sion units visiting the Colony continues to increase year by year.

PUBLISHING

Hong Kong has a flourishing printing industry. In face of keen foreign competition, particularly from Japan, it has succeeded in capturing and retaining valuable contracts with many major publishers, and in supplying its own local needs as well as those of South-East Asia.

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During the year under review, a slight decrease in the number of titles registered with Secretary for Chinese Affairs was offset by the volume of each order, and the standing of the works them- selves. Most noticeable during recent years has been the gradual expansion in the volume of textbooks printed for both local and foreign use. This year over 20% of all the books registered fell into this category, and the ever increasing demand for this type of book is quietly ousting works which are of a propaganda nature.

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

The title of the former Government Public Relations Office was changed during the year to Government Information Services. The change coincided with a decision to enlarge the scope of the department's work in supplying to press and broadcasting stations information about the activities, policies and achievements of Government as a whole and in handling the press relations of individual departments. Simultaneously, the department moved into larger and better-equipped accommodation in the new West Wing of the Central Government Offices.

Apart from its published output and regular daily contact with local newspapers and the foreign press corps, the department's staff are active in assisting and providing local contacts for visiting correspondents, broadcasters, and film units. All news for broad- casting-whether by Radio Hong Kong, by the new Commercial Radio Station or by Rediffusion's sound and television networks-