Straw poll shows Hong Kong opposes limited suffrage and Occupy Central

Most people interviewed by the South China Morning Post yesterday disagreed with the central government's views on the conditions for universal suffrage, but most did not support the Occupy Central movement either.

"I don't agree with that," seven out of ten replied when asked about the two prerequisites set down by Qiao Xiaoyang, the National People's Congress Law Committee chairman, on Sunday. Three said yes.

Even if they disagreed with the central government's stance, interviewees expressed reluctance to join the political campaign proposed by academics to press the case for universal suffrage. They cited concern for the city's prosperity as the reason for not supporting the Occupy Central movement.

"It will definitely affect the city's reputation as an international financial centre," said Ivy Wong, 50, a clerk.

Retiree Chan Koon-fong, 65, said: "Central is a commercial district. You can't make a traffic jam and stop business. It's not realistic."

In a radio programme yesterday, a caller said the movement was unlikely to succeed: "The central government will not endorse it. It will fail to get the full support of the public because Hong Kong people will not want their lives disrupted."