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The Chinese Government resumed its sovereignty over Hong Kong almost one year ago. A survey about youth's retrospection on the year since the handover found that young people gave the Government an average of 49.59 points, on a 0-100 scale, for its performance. Using the same scale, the Chief Executive earned a support rating of 49.75 points, slightly below the pass mark.
Ninety-six per cent of the respondents commented negatively on Hong Kong's economic development since the handover. In forecasting their family's living standards for the next 12 months, those who predicting a gloomy future hit a record high since the question was first put forward in 1993. More than 40 per cent of young people expected a decline in their family's living standards. The findings reflected young people's lack of confidence in Hong Kong's economy.
Seventy per cent also had a negative view about the livelihood of the general public a year after the handover. Older respondents were more critical about the view that the general public's livelihood had improved since the handover. Around 60 per cent felt that Hong Kong's international status had also declined.
This telephone survey was conducted from 1 to 3 June 1998. The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups successfully interviewed 506 young people, aged 15 to 29.
The survey showed that young people's comments on Hong Kong's public order and corruption problems, however, were quite positive. About 73 per cent and 39 per cent of young people felt that the situations in these two areas remained the same as before the handover.
In regard to the changes in personal values, more than 60 per cent of young people said that their understanding about China had increased. Slightly more than 60 per cent and 46 per cent respectively felt that their sense of identity being Chinese and their national consciousness had also increased.
One year after the handover, about 37 per cent of young people felt that the SAR Government had put the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' into effect. However, around 25 per cent did not share this view. With respect to democratic development in Hong Kong, more than 40 per cent of young people said that the situation after the handover was the same as that before the handover.
Mr. Paul Chan, the Deputy Director of the Federation, said that although young people lacked confidence in Hong Kong's economy, many of them still remained confident in Hong Kong's public order and its ability to combat corruption problems. As the findings showed that young people were generally dissatisfied with the administration's performance, Mr. Chan urged the Government to review its work to revitalize the confidence of young people.
Youth Opinion
Polls No. 55
