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

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 figures of CE Tung Chee-hwa and HKSAR Government. Recent figures on the popularity of Tung are summarized as follows:

* "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.

Results of our survey conducted in late January revealed that the latest rating of CE Tung Chee-hwa was 47.5 marks. Meanwhile, 66% of the respondents did not support Tung as the Chief Executive, whereas 18% did. Recent figures on people's appraisal of the performance of the HKSAR Government are summarized as follows:

* "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.

Regarding people's appraisal of the overall performance of the HKSAR Government, the latest figures revealed that 45% were dissatisfied, whereas 17% were satisfied. Of the 5 specific indicators, a respective of 51%, 45% and 43% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the government's performance in improving people's livelihood, developing democracy and maintaining economic prosperity. Regarding the government's performance in protecting human rights, people's satisfaction rate was the same as that of dissatisfaction, both obtaining a figure of 34%. People remained to be most satisfied with the government's handling of its relation with the Central Government, as 41% were satisfied, and 27% were dissatisfied. It was the only item with more people satisfied than dissatisfied.

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "The effect of the policy address has subsided, as Tung Chee-hwa's popularity rating returns to that of early January. As to the popularity of the SAR Government, people's satisfaction rate has significantly decreased over one month. On specific items, people are obviously most dissatisfied with the government's performance over livelihood issues. Its strength still lies in its relationship with the Central Government, but that has also dropped significantly in the last three months."

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. The date and time of our next release of regular survey findings will be February 3, 2005, Thursday, at 2 pm, people's satisfaction with the performances of the Legislative Council members, the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison and the Hong Kong Police Force will be released. Then, on February 8, 2005, Tuesday, at 2 pm, we will release the latest figures on the popularity of CE Tung Chee-hwa, as well as findings of a policy address follow-up survey.

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.