Liu Shu-tong Profession: securities speculator, part-time property agent 'I am not sure if I can survive such a big tidal wave this time. Last August, the value of my shares totalled $25 million. Now I have only $650,000 left. 'The market showed signs of consolidating today and actually rebounded slightly but the price of one of my shares - Tian An China - continued to fall. Now it is 16.7 cents, down one cent. 'I want to sell my shares but who would buy them in the market? The whole world is pessimistic about the stock market.' Ip Cheung-ching Profession: retired clerk; now amateur stock investor 'I have invested in the market for half a century. In the past, there were not so many people investing in stocks, thus even if there was a collapse, not so many people were affected. 'I survived the market collapse in the early 1970s and the early 1980s, but this is the worst time. I do not believe in experts. The market has become crazy. 'I have invested more than $300,000 in securities and I am not planning to sell them. I hold the shares . . . there is still hope their value will go up eventually.' Alfred Lam Profession: Berich Brokerage director 'It is a tough test for us. But after all, it is survival of the fittest. Weaker firms might have to leave the market. Our firm has been slightly hit, so we are discussing rent reductions with our landlords while considering nominal pay rises for staff. 'The stock market is sensitive to economic change and I expect it to reverse its downward trend by early next year. 'We are in a bear market and most 'over-investing clients' - speculators if you like - have been forced out. My advice is to hold some property shares. In the long run, prices will rise.'
