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


Press Release on September 28, 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 HKSAR Government. Recent figures are summarized as follows:

 
 Date of survey 26-29/7 2-8/8 21-28/8 1-7/9 20-21/9 Latest change
 Sample base 1,005 1,011 1,033 1,004 1,051 --
 Overall response rate 60.6% 59.4% 65.4% 64.5% 62.7% --
 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 48.3 46.7 47.9 48.3 50.0 +1.7
 Vote of no confidence in CH Tung 62% 59% 60% 59% 56% -3%
 Vote of confidence in CH Tung 20% 21% 19% 23% 24% +1%
 Dissatisfaction rate of SARG performance** 47% -- 44% -- 39% -5%
 Satisfaction rate of SARG performance** 18% -- 21% -- 21% --

* "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 our survey conducted after the Legislative Council election in late September revealed that the latest rating of CE Tung Chee-hwa was 50.0 marks. Meanwhile, 56% of the respondents did not support Tung as the Chief Executive, whereas 24% did. Regarding people's appraisal of the overall performance of the HKSAR Government, the latest figures revealed that 39% were dissatisfied, whereas 21% were satisfied.

 

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed: "Tung Chee-hwa's popularity rating has now reached the benchmark of 50, first time in two years. The popularity of the SAR Government has also rebounded. Although the popularity of both is still on the downside, they have recovered to the level of mid-2002, when Tung started his second term of office. At that time, the accountability system for principle officials has just begun, controversies surrounding the Article 23 of the Basic Law have not yet started, while SARS was not yet known. In terms of popularity, the Chief Executive and SAR Government seem to be starting afresh. They should really treasure this opportunity."

 

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. We will review and adjust this operation regularly. According to this schedule, the date and time of our next release of regular survey findings will be October 5, 2004, Tuesday, at 2 pm, the latest ratings of the top 10 political figures in Mainland China and Taiwan 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.