HKU POP SITE releases the latest popularity figures of CE Donald Tsang and HKSAR GovernmentBack


Press Release on October 4, 2005
 

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 Donald Tsang 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:

 
 Date of survey 25-29/7 1-4/8 22-25/8 1-7/9 26-29/9 Latest change
 Sample base 1,014 1,015 1,004 1,007 1,027 --
 Overall response rate 64.0% 59.4% 63.5% 62.0% 61.2% --
 Sampling error of ratings(at 95% confidence level)* +/-1.2 +/-1.2 +/-1.2 +/-1.0 +/-1.0 --
 Sampling error of percentages(at 95% confidence level)* +/-3% +/-3% +/-3% +/-3% +/-3% --
 Rating of CE Donald Tsang 69.0 67.4 64.8 66.7 69.5 +2.8
 Vote of confidence in CE Donald Tsang 72% 66% 68% 75% 79% +4%
 Vote of no confidence in CE Donald Tsang 7% 10% 12% 8% 8% --
 Satisfaction rate of SARG performance** 44% -- 43% -- 52% +9%^
 Dissatisfaction rate of SARG performance** 15% -- 20% -- 10% -10%^

* "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.
^ The polling cycles for these items are different from the rest. Comparisons, if made, should be synchronized using the same cycle.

 

Results of our survey conducted in late September revealed that the latest rating of CE Donald Tsang was 69.5 marks, and 79% supported him as the Chief Executive. Regarding people's appraisal of the overall performance of the HKSAR Government, the latest figures revealed that 52% were satisfied, whereas 10% were dissatisfied.

 

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "The popularity of CE Donald Tsang continues to surge after its rebound in early September, obviously benefiting from the more relaxed political environment. His support rate now stands at a historical high of 79%. Also, 52% are now satisfied with the performance of the SAR government, this is also a historical high over more than eight years of HKSAR's history. Compared to the 40% or so satisfaction rate shortly after the handover, it's an improvement. Compared to the less than 10% figure registered in mid-2003, it's like heaven and hell."

 

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 October 6, 2005, Thursday, at 2 pm, we will release the latest findings of people's appraisal of society's current conditions. Then, on October 10, 2005, Monday (because next Tuesday is a public holiday), at 2 pm, the latest popularity figures of CE Donald Tsang, Principal Officials under the accountability system and non-official members of the Executive Council, together with people's expectations for the coming Policy Address 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.