Young people in Hong Kong are more rebellious and liberal in their attitudes to drugs, alcohol and casual sex than their counterparts in other Asian countries, a survey has concluded.
A total of 4,400 people aged 15 to 29 from eight countries were chosen at random on the streets and shopping malls of Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenyang, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, Bombay, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and Hong Kong and asked about their attitudes and lifestyle.
It found young people in Hong Kong had a highly liberal outlook and were more rebellious than those in other countries. More than 80 per cent of 500 Hong Kong respondents drank alcohol - the highest in the region.
Asked if one-night stands were acceptable, half of young people in the SAR said yes. The question was not allowed to be asked on the mainland.
Girls were more open than boys about sex, with more women saying casual sex was acceptable, according to Anna Spence, a senior researcher for Asia Market Intelligence, which conducted the survey on behalf of Star TV and Channel V.
'This is because Hong Kong and Singapore are more Westernised cities, while in India or Malaysia, parental teachings still have a very strong influence,' she said.