Cute! Baby pics push catches on

Wallis Wang

Legislative Council member Bill Tang Ka-piu has suggested baby photos be displayed in government offices as a way to boost the birth rate.

Tang, who represents the Federation of Trade Unions, said in a subcommittee on population policy and initiatives meeting that many young people in Hong Kong are hesitant to have children despite being capable of doing so.

Tang emphasized the need to foster a social environment where "children are seen as adorable."

By way of a joke, he added: "To encourage people to have children, we need to create an atmosphere where Hongkongers view children as cute, perhaps as a mini version of themselves - like a small Bill Tang."

He further suggested that since civil servants are entitled to childcare leave, it could be beneficial to decorate all government offices with baby photos.

This, he argued, would create a joyful environment that encourages public officers to return home to their families rather than work overtime.

Tang said civil servants, with stable jobs and salaries, should lead by example in having stable families.

He also asked whether the administration would consider implementing a scheme to help young people save for subsidized homes.

Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming expressed the administration's commitment to helping university students and young people to purchase flats.

He said down payments for subsidized homes range from HK$100,000 to HK$200,000.

Ho praised Tang's "innovative" suggestion on baby photos and said the Civil Service Bureau would explore the idea.

He also said the number of newborns from June to September was up by more than 1,000, or 10 percent, compared to the previous year.

Legco member Benson Luk Hon-man from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong suggested the administration produce promotional videos to further encourage an increase in the birth rate.

His colleague Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai urged the administration to organize dating activities for the young, especially now that it has introduced childcare leave.