ENG-1998 — Page 419

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

persons aged 18 and above only). The objective is to allow adults wide access to films while protecting persons under the age of 18 from exposure to potentially harmful material.

Category IIA and IIB classifications are advisory (no statutory age restriction is imposed) and are intended to give more information to movie-goers, parents in particular, in the selection of films for themselves or their children. Age restriction is mandatory for Category III films.

During the year, 1 564 films were submitted for classification, compared with 1 697 films in 1997. Of these, 355 were classified Category I (none was with excisions), 257 Category IIA (none with excisions), 378 Category IIB (25 with excisions), 574 Category III (255 with excisions). Film trailers, instructional films and cultural films intended for public exhibition also require censorship but do not need to be classified into any categories. In 1998, 13 788 such items were approved for exhibition.

Film classification standards are kept in line with society's standards by regular surveys of community views and consultation with a statutory panel of advisers, comprising some 330 members drawn from a wide cross-section of the populace. Decisions on film classifications may be reviewed by the Board of Review (Film Censorship), a statutory body established under the Film Censorship Ordinance. The board comprises nine non-official members appointed by the Chief Executive, and the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting as an ex-officio member. There were no reviews of censors' decisions in 1998.

A biennial public opinion survey on film censorship was conducted during May to September 1998. The survey revealed that the majority of the public accepted the present film classification system and the prevailing classification standards.

Government Support

The Chief Executive announced in his 1997 Policy Address a series of initiatives to support the film industry in Hong Kong. These include the establishment of a Film Services Office and a Film Services Advisory Committee, and designating a site for film production use. In his 1998 Policy Address, Mr Tung announced plans to establish a $100-million Film Development Fund in 1999 to support projects aimed at enhancing the industry's capabilities, stimulating the growth of creative productions, facilitating the use of advanced special effects and improving skills in the work force.

The Film Services Office was established on April 1, 1998, under the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority to assist and promote the development of the film industry in Hong Kong by facilitating film production in the SAR and promoting its films locally and overseas. The office aims to maintain Hong Kong as a major film producing centre and enhance Hong Kong's position as a film trading and service hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Film Services Advisory Committee established on May 1, 1998, provides a conduit for dialogue between the film industry and the government, and gives advice on the work of the Film Services Office. The committee is appointed by the Chief Executive. It has the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting as chairman, two public officers and nine members who are not officials.

To promote the long-term development of the film industry and encourage infrastructural investment in film production, a site at Tseung Kwan O (Area 106) of

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