ENG-1983 — Page 267

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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

promotional events are organised (both at territory-wide and district levels) through live shows, a mobile street theatre and film shows.

The news and public affairs division of the Hong Kong Government Office in London works closely with GIS to provide a press service on Hong Kong matters for the British media, and enquiry and information services for the public about events and developments in Hong Kong. There was heightened interest in Hong Kong affairs during the year resulting in an increased number of enquiries from the media and the public.

The news section monitors British Parliamentary proceedings and media coverage of Hong Kong affairs, and keeps the Hong Kong Government informed on a daily basis by telex and facsimile transmission. It also publishes a fortnightly newsletter, Dateline Hong Kong, which is distributed among organisations and individuals with a close interest in Hong Kong. The public affairs section helped to organise a visit to Britain by the Hong Kong Jing Ying group, who performed commendably in the Welsh National Eisteddfod at Llangollen, and the Young Singer of the World competition in Cardiff.

A GIS officer was posted to the Hong Kong Government Office which opened in New York in 1983, while the Hong Kong Office in Brussels now includes a post for an information officer.

Information Policy

The Secretary for Home Affairs has overall policy responsibility for the government's relations with the media, the main aim being to keep the media informed of its policies and thinking, as well as forthcoming events and proposed legislation. On this front, the Home Affairs Branch is responsible for co-ordinating the work of the Government Information Services, Radio Television Hong Kong and much of the work of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority. Apart from formulating policy on a full range of information matters and broadcasting, it advises the government on the presentation of its policies and on public relations matters generally.

Film Industry

By the end of 1983, the number of cinemas in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories stood at 90 compared with 89 the previous year. With the demolition of a large complex near Hong Kong International Airport to make room for a park, five small cinemas were pulled down during the year while six new cinemas opened.

The annual cinema attendance, totalling about 61 million, was lower than in 1982 (64 million). Related to the population, the high attendance figures demonstrate that cinema-going remains a very popular leisure activity, second only to television. The price of admission to the majority of the cinemas was increased by about 18 per cent at the beginning of July, a rise caused by higher operating costs and the decline of the Hong Kong dollar.

The number of locally-produced films was 118 in comparison with 129 for 1982. While imported films continue to be popular, good-quality local films remain the favourites with the majority of audiences. The biggest box-office successes for the year were Aces Go Places which grossed $23.3 million, Winners and Sinners ($22.0 million), E.T. The Extra- Terrestial ($16.7 million) and Zu, Warriors from the Magic Fountain ($15.9 million). The trend of making locally-produced films in Cantonese rather than in Mandarin continued in 1983. Although action films and comedies dominated the cinema scene, some films concerned with local social problems and the problems of youth also proved to be popular.