I agree with the views expressed in Chris Yeung's article headlined 'Poor relations' (January 21).
It came as no surprise to me that Hong Kong people were found to be the most optimistic in the region about 2004.
The unpleasant 2003 has passed, with its Sars outbreak and economic downturn, so it is easy to understand that people are very much looking forward to the Year of Monkey.
But while the community celebrates the new year, spending money on new clothes and meals, there are still people who don't have enough food because of a cut in subsidies.
Even as the economy returns to a healthy state, the gap between the rich and the poor has not been narrowed.
As far as I know, there has been a strong demand for free meal services for the poor and the unemployed provided by social service agencies. To these people, an economic recovery is out of reach.
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa emphasised in his policy address that it was essential to allow 'the community to take a respite and build up its strength', implying that there will be no new tax hikes or increases in fees and charges.