HKU POP SITE releases the latest popularity figures of CE Tung Chee-hwa and HKSAR GovernmentBack


Press Release on August 31, 2004
 

The Public Opinion Programme (POP) at the University of Hong Kong today releases on schedule via the "HKU POP SITE" (http://hkupop.pori.hk) the latest popularity of CE Tung Chee-hwa and the HKSAR Government. Recent changes in the popularity of CE Tung Chee-hwa and the HKSAR Government are summarized as follows:

 
 Date of survey 21-24/6 2-5/7 26-29/7 2-8/8 21-28/8 Latest change
 Sample base 1,023 1,026 1,005 1,011 1,033 --
 Overall response rate 63.9% 63.0% 60.6% 59.4% 65.4% --
 Sampling error of ratings (at 95% conf. level)* +/- 1.4 +/- 1.4 +/- 1.4 +/- 1.4 +/- 1.4 --
 Sampling error of percentages (at 95% conf. level)* +/- 3% +/- 3% +/- 3% +/- 3% +/- 3% --
 Support rating of CH Tung 45.7 44.4 48.3 46.7 47.9 +1.2
 Vote of no confidence in CH Tung 59% 66% 62% 59% 60% +1%
 Vote of confidence in CH Tung 17% 16% 20% 21% 19% -2%
 Dissatisfaction rate of Tung's policy direction** 43% -- -- -- 40% -3%
 Satisfaction rate of Tung's policy direction** 14% -- -- -- 17% +3%
 Dissatisfaction rate of SARG performance** 49% -- 47% -- 44% -3%
 Satisfaction rate of SARG performance** 17% -- 18% -- 21% +3%

* "95% confidence level" means that if we were to repeat a certain survey 100 times, using the same questions each time but with different random samples, we would expect 95 times getting a figure within the error margins specified.
** Collapsed from a 5-point scale.

 

Results of surveys conducted in late August revealed that the latest rating of CE Tung Chee-hwa was 47.9 marks. Meanwhile, 60% of the respondents did not support Tung as the Chief Executive, whereas 19% did. Besides, 40% were dissatisfied with Tung's policy direction, while 17% were satisfied. Regarding people's appraisal of the overall performance of the HKSAR Government, the latest figures revealed that 44% were dissatisfied, whereas 21% were satisfied.

 

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed: "After dropping to this year's record low in mid-May, Tung Chee-hwa's popularity rating has fluctuated upward. Although his latest rating in late August is not a new high, he has accumulated about 6 marks in the rebound, which is about one tier upward, using 5-mark separations. He is, however, still below the benchmark of 50. The popularity of the SAR Government, on the other hand, has also rebounded since mid-May, together with Tung's. Although still at the lower end, such rebound during election time is already not bad."

 

POP's normal practice is to release the results of our regular surveys every Tuesday at 2 pm via our POP Site, except during public holidays, each time with a forecast of the items to be released in the forthcoming week. From August 11 onwards, we will release the latest results of the Legislative Council election rolling survey every day at 2 pm via our POP site, until the election ends. Results of our regular surveys will still be released during this period of time. The date and time of our next release of regular survey findings will be September 7, 2004, Tuesday, at 2 pm, the latest results of people's trust in the HKSAR and Beijing Central Governments, their confidence in Hong Kong's future, China's future and "one country, two systems" will be released.

 

Shall anyone have any question regarding the research design of the surveys published in the POP Site, members of the POP Team will be happy to answer them, but we will not further comment on the findings. Shall any person or journalist have any other questions, please email them to us at <[email protected]. The Director of Public Opinion Programme would answer them as soon as possible. We will keep such an arrangement under constant review, suggestions most welcome. Please note that everything carried in the POP Site does not represent the stand of the University of Hong Kong. Dr Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, is responsible for everything posted herewith, except for column articles which represent the stand of their authors.