Rather, the government should promote local heritage including “silk-stocking” milk tea, and dai pai dong or no-frills food stalls. These uniquely Hong Kong attractions are probably more effective tourist draws.

The budget fails to clearly outline significant means of generating revenue other than bonds. Does the government intend to make up the difference through fines or removal of the DSE fee subsidies?

The budget could use more prudent planning. Otherwise, public discontent is sure to grow.

Ryan Cheung, Diamond Hill

Balance needed between property market forces and social welfare

Cooling measures on property have been scrapped. However, it is crucial to critically examine the implications of such a move and recall what the late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping said about bourgeois liberalisation.

In the 1980s, Deng explicitly warned against the worship of capitalism and bourgeois liberalisation. In the selfish pursuit of personal gain, which is inherent in bourgeois thinking, the interests of the capitalist class are prioritised over the well-being of society as a whole.

Those in favour of scrapping the cooling measures often prioritise property owners and investors over the broader society, and neglect the impact such a move would have on housing affordability and the wealth gap.

While the property market should be allowed to function effectively, it is equally important to ensure affordable housing and address social inequality.

Striking a balance between market dynamics and social welfare is essential to ensuring a fair and inclusive society. It is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of bourgeois liberalisation as we navigate the challenges of socioeconomic development.

Stanley Ip, Sai Wan Ho

City should take better care of caregivers

Although the Community Care Fund has a scheme providing allowances for carers of elderly people from low-income families, the scheme comes with restrictions, including that “the carer must not be a recipient of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance”.

It is commendable that the Social Welfare Department runs respite services for elderly and disabled persons to lighten the burden on carers. Still, their utilisation rates remain low, with the rate for day care centres for the elderly at 46 per cent for 2019-20 and 27 per cent for 2021-22.

This could be due to the government’s lack of promotion, or elderly people’s unease over being sent to care centres. So how can families be encouraged to use these services?

The government could step up the promotion of these services through channels such as newspapers, television and social media. The publicity campaign could emphasise that care centres are well-equipped, and that respite services not only allow patients to interact with others, but also give carers time every day to pursue their own interests, meet friends or simply de-stress.

On another note, to boost carers’ well-being, more counselling services could be provided to those in need of mental support. Sometimes, talking to a professional – a social worker or a psychologist – can help relieve stress. The Social Welfare Department could have social workers reach out to carers regularly. They would also be able to advise carers on how to cope when their elderly family member throws a tantrum, for example. Furthermore, this could help keep the authorities updated on carers’ situations and ensure their well-being.

The government is eager to boost childcare services to encourage childbirth; carers deserve the same policy attention. Like parents of young children, carers are pillars of society. The government, NGOs and various stakeholders could join forces to care not just for the elderly, but also for their carers.

Lucas Lee, Sha Tin