ENG-1982 — Page 261

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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

At the Hong Kong Government Office in London, the news and public affairs division works closely with GIS to provide a press service for the British media and an inquiry and information service for the public about events and developments in Hong Kong.

During the year, the office organised 'Hong Kong Gala Evenings' in Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham. These events included a reception and a stage presentation, the latter consisting of a 10-screen audio visual show, highlighting the economic and cultural links between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, and a performance by a company of dancers and by a solo musician provided by the Recreation and Culture Department. The 600 guests at each reception included Members of Parliament and local government officials, businessmen and industrialists. In each city, the Hong Kong Commissioner in London addressed a seminar on industrial investment in Hong Kong, met the local Chinese community, and hosted a dinner for senior media representatives.

Information Policy

The Secretary for Home Affairs has overall policy responsibility for the government's relations with the media. The Home Affairs Branch is, inter alia, responsible for co- ordinating the work of the Government Information Services (GIS), Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and much of the work of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA). Its two main functions are advising the government on the presentation of policies and on public relations matters, and formulating policy on the full range of broadcasting and information matters.

Film Industry

By the end of 1982, the number of cinemas in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories stood at 89. Although a number of large cinemas closed down during the year a new trend of mini-cinemas started with the opening of a three-in-one mini-cinema complex. After television, cinema-going is the next most popular leisure activity in Hong Kong. The annual cinema attendance totalled 66 million for the year compared to 65 million in 1981. A survey on attitudes to cinema viewing commissioned by TELA early in the year showed that 95 per cent of the population was in favour of continued censorship of cinema films. The majority also wanted the introduction of a film classification system which would legally bar the admittance of under-age patrons to 'adults only' films. The authority started a consultative process with district boards during the year with the aim of introducing a statutory classification system during 1983.

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The number of locally-produced films was 129 in comparison with 130 for 1981. Although imported films continued to be popular, the greatest box office successes remained locally-produced Cantonese films. Examples were Dragon Lord which grossed $18 million and It Takes Two which grossed $16.7 million at the box office during the year.

Comedy and action continued to be popular movie themes with few social dramas reaching the screens. Kung fu and swordplay films continued to attract some sections of the community although these films tended to be a little more violent than during the previous year. A few locally-produced suspense films also proved to be popular at the box office.

All films intended for public exhibition in Hong Kong must be submitted to the Panel of Film Censors, which forms part of the TELA. Censorship standards are drawn from ascertained community views, through surveys and media reports, and from an advisory panel comprising about 125 members of the public who assist the Panel of Film Censors in reflecting community views. During the year, 655 films were submitted for