Within a matter of only a few months, the atmosphere in Hong Kong has turned from extreme pessimism to extreme optimism. In June this year, just when the SARS attack was about to subside, Hong Kong people were worrying how deep the economy would plummet and how many more workers would lose their jobs. The most optimistic view at that time was that it would take Hong Kong at least a year or two to recover.

HK Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa speaks at a forum on HK's economy September 19, 2003. [newsphoto.com.cn]

However, measures taken during the summer have completely turned the situation around. First is the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement that would bring the economies in Hong Kong and the mainland closer; and the second is the flexibility for mainland visitors to visit Hong Kong as individuals. Suddenly, Hong Kong people have found the economy here not as depressed as they have thought. Business opportunities have also increased so much that Hong Kong people are beginning to see the benefits of the co-existence of the Hong Kong and mainland systems.

With the return of a buoyant economy, the next question that one needs to ask is what further actions the Hong Kong Government has to take to maintain this optimistic spirit. Obviously, Hong Kong people feel happier because the property market has become more stable and the stock market has picked up again. But there are signs, like the persistent high rates of unemployment, that the economy is still vulnerable and that much has to be done to ensure that it would not suffer another setback.

Furthermore, the trust of the people in the government has to be regained. Even Chief Executive Tung Chee-hua has admitted that the government has not been responsive enough to the wishes of the people and pledged that government officials would do a better job in future. In fact, the chief executive knows well that the administration could hardly afford to make another blunder that would further alienate itself from the people. How then could the Hong Kong Government regain people's confidence?

The head of the Central Policy Unit of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Professor Lau Siu-kai, has pointed out that in the last year or so, the administration had focused so much attention on some controversial political issues, like the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, that it tended to be neglectful of people's feelings. To make up, he suggested that government officials, especially bureau and department heads, take more active steps in gauging the reactions of the people towards government policies and measures. Indeed, there is nothing absolutely right or wrong in public administration and the only criterion in judging the feasibility of a particular policy or measure is its acceptability by the people.

To convince the public that a certain government policy or measure is necessary and desirable is not at all easy. Adequate preparations are a must before any policy or measure is put to the public for consultation. More important still is that relevant government officials must be prepared to explain and to defend the position of the government in public and in language that people can fully understand. This is not to say that people's opinions must be right. But if the government wants its policies and measures to have their desired effect, then people must be made to feel that their voices have fully been heard.

The second important thing for the government to do to regain the confidence of the people is to reshuffle its priorities. For the government, the fiscal deficit might have been the major concern as it affects the ratings of Hong Kong in the eyes of international investors. However, ordinary people cannot understand why balancing a budget is so important while they are living in the fear of losing their jobs or having their wages cut the next day when they go to work.

To create more employment opportunities should top the government's priority list. The existing unemployment rate of 8.6 per cent is simply unacceptable - not that Hong Kong is unused to such high rates; but the welfare system is hardly adequate to provide the unemployed with the necessary protection and, most important of all, to help them go back to work.

The third important thing that the government must do is to build up a mechanism through which its views can effectively reach the people. There is no doubt that the government Information Service is doing its job in conveying government messages and Radio Television Hong Kong is also supposed to provide outlets for official announcements. However, it is clear that Hong Kong people have often little knowledge, not to say understanding, of government policies and whatever little that they might know are distorted.

There is no suggestion that the government should use more propaganda, especially when the trust of the people is low. But certainly it would help if some government departments, like the Home Affairs Department, which have direct contact with the masses, talk to the people at the grassroots about governmental views. This kind of personal contact between the government and the people is essential to avoid misunderstanding, but unfortunately it is completely lacking in Hong Kong. Hence, people are getting views from all sources except the government. To regain the trust and confidence of the people is no easy task but it is a step that the government must take.

(Written by Nelson Chow, chair-professor of Social Work & Social Administration of University of Hong Kong)

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