Futuristic comic book aims to help children get to grips with the budget and budgeting

The government is distributing 30,000 comic books to students and the public as part of its budget consultation exercise.

Future Success is Built on Today's Decisions, by local cartoonist Lee Chi-ching, was released yesterday, with Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah giving out copies at Immanuel Lutheran College in Tai Po.

'I understand this kind of information can often be boring, so I hope to use a lively and vivid way to present the budget to more people, particularly youngsters like you,' Mr Tsang told students at the school.

The story's main character is six-year-old Yat, who learns the importance of long-term planning when he meets his future self, who has travelled 20 years back in time. The boy, who hated classes but loved video games, takes the initiative to study after 26-year-old Yat tells him how hard his family worked for him.

Charts in the cartoons give data on Hong Kong's economic development over the past 10 years.

The book also asks questions about how the upcoming budget can help people survive the financial crisis.