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SCMP Reporter

Give the young a place of their own
 Property prices have soared in Hong Kong, but employment prospects for young people are still poor.  It has become harder for them to have their own flats.  It's natural for young people to want to have a home they can call their own. 
Most university graduates today  have to work longer hours for lower salaries.  
The future of Hong Kong requires the creativity and ambitions of these young people. If the city does not want to lose them in a 'brain drain', steps must be taken to  enhance their sense of belonging. 
Helping young professionals  buy their own homes is a good step towards ensuring they will do their best for society.  
Cassandra Lee Yieng, YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College  
Hong Kong doesn't need  Asian Games
 When the government announced its intention  to host the 2023 Asian Games, my heart sank. I find it hard to understand why the government made this decision.
Not much has been done to  find out if the majority of people  supported this move. The 2008 Olympic Games, during which equestrian events took place in Hong Kong, came and went, but it's doubtful they did much good in popularising sports in the territory. 
Rather than spend a fortune on hosting the Asian Games, the government might consider investing that sum in projects  to help poor citizens and others  in need. Promoting health and exercise could be part of that initiative.  
Poon Ka-sin, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College
 Let buskers bring new life to the city
 During New Year's Eve celebrations, I  came across a band of musicians playing wind instruments on the Harbour promenade.  
I was pleasantly surprised to see this kind of performance in Hong Kong. With their trumpets, horns and clarinets, the street musicians played vibrant music to a large crowd of people.
 Apart from developing the West Kowloon Cultural District into a cultural hub,  city planners should also set aside open-air areas for buskers and street performers.    
Jackie Lo Kwan-kei, Ho Fung College 
A levy on solid waste is unfeasible
 A levy on the use of plastic bags has been a great success in cutting down the number of plastic bags used and discarded. Some people have proposed imposing a similar levy on solid waste. I disagree. 
Many people may simply dispose of their rubbish in public bins or even parks to avoid paying an extra charge. It would also be impossible to effectively monitor residents  about all their waste. There would be no way to track who deposited what in rubbish dumps.  
Yet something does need to be done about Hong Kong's rubbish  problems. The  landfills are going to be full within a few years. Incineration plants and plants for treating waste would provide the best solution.
 Incineration could work wonders  in reducing the volume of solid waste.  Plants for treating waste, meanwhile,  could be used to produce fertilisers in an environmentally friendly manner.
Simply imposing another levy  would not solve our problems.
Stephen Chan
Take good care  of the elderly
 The elderly have made a tremendous contribution to the city. The community is responsible for taking care of them.  I think the government should offer medical vouchers to senior citizens.  
Thanks to modern technology and advanced medical treatment, people now enjoy a longer lifespan. But most families cannot afford medical bills for the elderly. The younger generation has the huge burden of taking care of their own children and their elderly parents. They cannot afford expensive medical bills, especially for chronically ill patients.  
The government should impose strict regulations on private clinics to prevent them from overcharging the elderly. It should also raise the retirement age so that elderly who feel they can still work can have something to do and make ends meet.  
Last but not least, the government should encourage senior citizens to exercise, eat healthily and lead a balanced lifestyle.  
Chris Ho Ka-kui



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