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. As a general practice, all figures have been weighted according to the gender-age distribution of the Hong Kong population obtained from the 2001 Population Census. Relevant figures 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

Results of our survey conducted in mid-February revealed that the latest rating of CE Tung Chee-hwa was 48.4 marks. Meanwhile, 69% of the respondents did not support Tung as the Chief Executive, whereas 16% did. Besides, 34% of the respondents were dissatisfied with Tung's policy direction, while 18% were satisfied. Regarding people's appraisal of the overall performance of the HKSAR Government, the latest figures revealed that 39% were dissatisfied, whereas 20% were satisfied.

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "Tung Chee-hwa's popularity rating has gone back to 48 marks, same as what was recorded immediately after he delivered his policy address this year. However, this was still a kind of narrow fluctuation, and those who opposed him as the CE remained constantly at two-thirds. People's dissatisfaction rates of CE's policy direction and the performance of the HKSAR Government have both gone down recently, but the satisfaction rates have not gone up much, because more and more people have taken a 'half-half' position in these issues. Since the appointment of Tung as a member, or even vice-chairman, of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference was not yet known during the survey period, the effect of the appointment on his popularity rating is yet to be seen."

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 March 3, 2005, Thursday, at 2 pm, when we will release 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". Then, on March 8, 2005, Tuesday, at 2 pm, the latest ratings of the most well-known political groups 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.