Two out of every three Hongkongers have expressed satisfaction with the administration’s performance since taking office, with nearly 70 percent approving of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s work, according to a survey conducted by Sing Tao News Corporation.
The most supported government policies included hosting concerts and major events at Kai Tak Sports Park, followed by the abolition of the Mandatory Provident Fund offsetting mechanism, and legislation to regulate subdivided flats while cracking down on public housing abuse.
The online survey, conducted from June 9 to 18 with 10,066 respondents, featured seven questions.
When asked whether they were satisfied with the government’s overall performance, 55 percent said they were satisfied, while 11 percent reported being “very satisfied,” for a combined 66 percent approval rating.
Similarly, 54 percent were satisfied with Lee’s performance, and 15 percent were very satisfied, combining for 69 percent.
Compared to last year’s results – 65.9 percent for the government and 68 percent for the chief executive – public satisfaction has slightly increased.
Concerns remain.
The heavy fiscal deficits ranked as the top dissatisfaction, followed by the canceled HK$2,500 student subsidy, health-care reform and the reduction of salaries tax relief ceiling to HK$1,500.
Lawmaker Bill Tang Ka-piu of the Federation of Trade Unions noted improved interdepartmental coordination under the current administration, eliminating past bureaucratic inefficiencies.
He also highlighted the significance of ending the MPF offsetting mechanism, a long-standing labor rights issue that enhances retirement security.
Kitson Yang Wing-kit, legislator for Kowloon Central, praised the Kai Tak Sports Park’s successful event management, citing economic benefits from concerts like Coldplay and Nicholas Tse Ting-fung’s performances, each generating an estimated HK$1 billion in revenue. He urged authorities to attract more international artists to boost tourism.
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, attributed the government’s high approval ratings to political stability, allowing greater focus on economic and livelihood issues.
Despite economic challenges, rising tourist numbers and major events have improved public sentiment, with the administration maintaining steady governance free of major missteps, Lau said.
(Staff reporter)
