ONE of the first and possibly most contentious choices faced by the incoming government is how to divide up income generated by the Hong Kong Treasury.
Should the community benefit more, or should Hong Kong's rather small taxpaying population be entitled to a bigger share of the 'dividends'? No announcement has yet been made that the SAR Government is going to spend the surplus, but expectation is high that a spending spree will feature prominently in Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's first policy speech.
As Mr Tung has promised Hong Kong people he will strive to improve social services after taking over the helm, the community expects him to commit more funds to housing, and to improvements to the education system and welfare for the elderly.
Apart from social spending, Mr Tung has impressed on the business community that he will also try to improve the investment environment since he fully appreciates the need to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness.
Professionals, executives and managers - the class that has contributed so much and formed the bulk of the salary taxpayers - are also looking to Mr Tung for a fair share if tax benefits are on the SAR Government's agenda.
Clearer signals are now emerging that tax concessions will form a key part of the largesse Mr Tung is preparing to dispense.