Written by 
Staff reporter
Over 70 percent of Hongkongers agreed that this year’s policy address will boost the city’s economy, while another 60 percent are satisfied with it, revealed a survey conducted by Sing Tao Daily, The Standard’s sister paper.
The online survey, aimed at garnering public views on the policy address delivered by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on October 16, received over 13,000 responses within a week.
It found that 71 percent of the respondents agreed with the measures announced in this year’s policy address – including investing HK$10 billion into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales to help small and medium-sized enterprises as well as measures to develop a low-altitude economy.
Nearly half, or 49.5 percent, agreed that the policies would boost the city’s economy while 21.5 percent strongly agreed with the same statement.
Only 17.6 percent disagreed while 5.2 percent strongly disagreed.
Of the measures, nearly 20 percent of respondents thought that developing a diversity of tourism projects with local characteristics would be the most effective way to boost Hong Kong’s economy.
Close behind were measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises as well as make the city a hub for sports and mega events, which were chosen by 12.9 percent and 12.8 percent, respectively.
Around 11 percent and 8 percent thought pushing forward the development at the Northern Metropolis and developing a low-altitude economy would be the most effective measure to boost Hong Kong’s economy, respectively.
Overall, 49.5 percent said they were satisfied with this year’s policy address, with 12.5 percent indicating they were very satisfied – making it 62 percent who said they were satisfied.
Around 21 percent said they were not satisfied with the policy address, while 6.5 percent said they were very unsatisfied.
More than 60 percent also either agreed or strongly agreed that the policy address improved their confidence in Hong Kong’s future, while around 21.6 percent disagreed.
In response to the survey results, lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king, also the sole Hong Kong delegate to the National People’s Congress standing committee, said a lot of the reform measures in the policy address directly address existing challenges and difficulties that the city is facing.
”This is exactly a reform of the system as mentioned by [the chief executive],” Lee said. “There are bottlenecks, shortcomings or obstacles and they should be broken through and eliminated according to time and place.”
The results, she added, shows the public generally agrees with the policy address and has confidence in Hong Kong’s future, which also proves the people support John Lee’s ability to lead Hong Kong in pursuing in-depth reforms instead of momentary benefits.
”I believe the people understand that short-term financial subsidy policies, like cash handouts or vouchers, might be sweeteners for a short time but will not last long and will also affect Hong Kong’s long-term development interests, which is totally not worth it,” Starry Lee said.
Liberal Party chairman and lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai also expressed satisfaction with the economic policy measures in the policy address, including the liquor tax relaxation, which he believes should only be the first step.
”If mainland authorities really agree to resume multiple-entry endorsement for Shenzhen residents, it will stimulate the current sluggish retail and catering sector,” Shiu said.
He also expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s outlook and emphasized that China is Hong Kong’s strongest support base and that it would implement more policies to benefit Hong Kong.
Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong president Wingco Lo Kam-wing also described the policy address as “pragmatic,” which may boost economic recovery in the city.
”The measures [in the policy address] cover everything regarding the planning for the city’s short, medium and long-term development, which is giving Hong Kong a shot in the arm. I personally and the business sector are both confident in Hong Kong’s future,” he added.