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


Press Release on November 1, 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. Recent popularity figures of Donald Tsang are first summarized as follows:

 

 Date of survey 1-7/9 26-29/9 3-6/10 12/10 25-29/10 Latest change
 Sample base 1,007 1,027 1,010 914 1,017 --
 Overall response rate 62.0% 61.2% 64.2% 66.1% 63.5% --
 Sampling error of ratings(at 95% confidence level)* +/-1.0 +/-1.0 +/-1.0 +/-1.1 +/-1.0 --
 Sampling error of percentages(at 95% confidence level)* +/-3% +/-3% +/-3% +/-3% +/-3% --
 Rating of CE Donald Tsang 66.7 69.5 68.0 67.4 68.2 +0.8
 Vote of confidence in CE Donald Tsang 75% 79% 77% 74% 75% +1%
 Vote of no confidence in CE Donald Tsang 8% 8% 8% 9% 6% -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.

 

The latest survey conducted in late October showed that, CE Donald Tsang scored 68.2 marks, and 75% supported him as the Chief Executive. Recent figures on people's appraisal of the performance of the HKSAR Government are tabulated as follows:

 

 Date of survey 25-29/7 22-25/8 26-29/9 25-29/10 Latest change
 Sample base 1,014 1,004 1,027 1,017 --
 Overall response rate 64.0% 63.5% 61.2% 63.5% --
 Sampling error of percentages (at 95% conf. level)* +/-3% +/- 3% +/- 3% +/-3% --
 Satisfaction rate of SARG performance** 44% 43% 52% 57% +5%^
 Dissatisfaction rate of SARG performance** 15% 20% 10% 9% -1%^
 Relation with the Central Government: Satisfaction rate ** 57% -- -- 70% +13%
 Relation with the Central Government: Dissatisfaction rate** 11% -- -- 6% -5%
 Protecting human rights and freedom: Satisfaction rate** 41% -- -- 50% +9%
 Protecting human rights and freedom: Dissatisfaction rate ** 20% -- -- 15% -5%
 Maintaining economic prosperity: Satisfaction rate ** 44% -- -- 50% +6%
 Maintaining economic prosperity: Dissatisfaction rate ** 17% -- -- 15% -2%
 Pace of democratic development: Satisfaction rate ** 33% -- -- 42% +9%
 Pace of democratic development: Dissatisfaction rate ** 29% -- -- 22% -7%
 Improving people's livelihood: Satisfaction rate ** 30% -- -- 35% +5%
 Improving people's livelihood: Dissatisfaction rate** 29% -- -- 24% -5%

* "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.

 

Regarding people's appraisal of the overall performance of the HKSAR Government, the latest figures revealed that 57% were satisfied, whereas 9% were dissatisfied. Of the 5 specific policy areas, people were most satisfied with the government's handling of its relation with the Central Government, with a satisfaction percentage of 70%. The government's performance in protecting human rights and maintaining economic prosperity followed, both attaining a satisfaction percentage of 50%. Meanwhile, a respective of 42% and 35% of the respondents were satisfied with the government's performance in developing democracy and improving people's livelihood.

 

Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of Public Opinion Programme, observed, "Both the popularity rating and support rate of CE Donald Tsang have fluctuated very narrowly in October, meaning that his Policy Address and the report on constitutional development have only nominal effect on his popularity. People's satisfaction with the SAR government, however, has climbed to record high again. Of the five policy areas, other than maintaining economic prosperity, all areas have reached record high. Among them, 70% are satisfied with the government's handling of its relation with the Central Government, eclipsing the main strength of the previous SAR government."

 

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 November 3, 2005, Thursday, at 2 pm, we will release the latest figures on subjective social and legal indicators. Then, on November 8, 2005, Tuesday, at 2 pm, the latest figures of people's satisfaction with the performances of the Legislative Council members in general, the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison and the Hong Kong Police Force 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.