Poll finds prosperity unaffected by politics

ONLY about one in 10 young people in Hongkong thinks political stability is the most important factor for economic prosperity, according to a survey.

The poll in May by the Hongkong Federation of Youth Groups involved 603 people aged 18 to 29.

While an overwhelming 47 per cent named the free market as the most important cause for economic prosperity, 15.7 per cent chose the opening up of China and 11.7 per cent political stability.

Among those who chose the free market, 32.4 per cent believed it would worsen in the next five years, 29.6 per cent thought it would improve and 23.8 per cent thought it would be the same.

Seventy-eight per cent of those who chose China's opening up as the key factor expected an improvement in the next few years.

The survey also showed that, given the opportunity, a slight majority - 53.7 per cent - of the respondents would be willing to develop their careers in China.