Hundreds of dollars in cash fell from the sky, and passers-by in Sham Shui Po immediately lost control and scrambled to grab it. Whether someone is showing off their wealth for self-promotion remains to be verified, and the business operations behind it are gradually being revealed. Greediness of human nature depicts all beings who pick up money, but the suspected money-spreader claimed that the move was to "rob the rich and give to the poor" and was supported by the neighbors. He later showed up again and donated meal tickets, which won applause from the residents. This farce can no longer be explained by petty gain. One-sixth of the subdivided flats in Hong Kong are located in Sham Shui Po. They are a reflection of grassroots life. People's sentiments are high on relieving the disadvantaged groups from their difficulties. It reflects the hidden problem of wealth disparity in the bustling city. .
The gap between rich and poor in Hong Kong has reached its worst level in 45 years. The 2016 mid-term census showed that the Gini coefficient reached a new high. The aging of the population and the downsizing of households have led to a structural worsening of the poverty problem. The latest trend analyzed by the Commission on Poverty Alleviation is that the number of poor families with children has increased, thereby pushing up the poverty rate. These families usually have elders living with them, but only one of them is employed, which puts a heavy financial burden on them. The lack of resources for children at the grassroots level, the inherent lack of learning environment and opportunities, affects upward mobility, and inter-generational poverty cannot be ignored.
Inequality between rich and poor creates chaos in Europe and America
Social divisions in terms of wealth breed political instability and bring hidden worries to governance in the long run. The "Yellow Vest" movement in France started due to the increase in fuel taxes, and eventually merged with the problems of inequality between rich and poor, such as high unemployment, worsening working conditions, and rising cost of living, triggering the contradiction between the free market and social fairness. Although the demonstrators gradually retreated after the French government made concessions, the "yellow vests" have also spread sporadically to other European countries. Some are fighting for social welfare, some are protecting labor rights, and some even have no specific demands, just for To vent their dissatisfaction with the government due to hard life.
This anti-government sentiment has been building up for a long time and is not unique to Europe. The era of globalization encourages cross-border competition, with winners controlling global resources and exacerbating wealth inequality. Many people have not tasted the fruits of globalization, but have to endure the economic depression left behind by the financial tsunami and the European debt crisis, sowing the seeds of public dissatisfaction. The rise of unilateralism and populism in various places, countering the gap between rich and poor created by globalization, has more or less contributed to the strongman politics of the United States and the path of Brexit in the United Kingdom. It also proves that the world order is uncertain, and Hong Kong must adapt to the times. ability to cope with the changing international situation.
Young people hope to use public funds to improve
Fortunately, Hong Kong has opened new infrastructure to support tourism, retail, etc., maintaining full employment and implementing the best measures to prevent poverty. However, the external situation is chaotic and may create new conflicts between the rich and the poor. Many orders have been placed in order to be completed before trade barriers take effect, which has resulted in recent import and export figures still rising. Therefore, the impact of trade friction on Hong Kong has not yet emerged. A recent survey found that one-third of Hong Kong youth believe that the government's most important goal in using public funds is to improve the gap between rich and poor. It shows that in times of crisis, the government must play a more important role in redistributing wealth.
Every year after the release of the Budget, the University of Hong Kong’s Public Research Institute surveys citizens’ opinions on the government’s financial management strategies. Although the Budget cannot satisfy everyone, there has been a certain gap with public opinion in the past ten years. The Financial Secretary is consulting on the Budget and will consider introducing short-term relief measures and "targeted poverty alleviation". No matter what, a "Budget" that meets public expectations and needs is not limited to a running account of calculating financial figures. It can also carry public sentiment, dissolve divisions, and consolidate social cohesion.
Pan Xuezhi, Director of Democratic Thoughts
