Sep 21, 2021
Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute Press Conference – Press Materials
Detailed Findings
Speakers:
Kim-Wah Chung – Deputy CEO, HKPORI
Wai-Ho Yam – Vice Chairman of The Hong Kong Chamber of Education Centres
Edward Tai – Manager (Data Science), HKPORI
Kim-Ching Chan – Member, Liber Research Community(Online Commentator)
Sep 21, 2021
Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute Press Conference – Press Materials
Special Announcement
The predecessor of Hong Kong Public Opinion Program (HKPOP) was The Public Opinion Programme at The University of Hong Kong (HKUPOP). “POP” in this release can refer to HKPOP or its predecessor HKUPOP.
Abstract
POP successfully interviewed a total of 3,516 Hong Kong residents by random telephone surveys conducted by real interviewers during August and September. Our surveys show that, on a scale of 0 to 10, people’s ratings on the five core social indicators ranked from the highest to the lowest are “stability”, “prosperity”, “freedom”, “rule of law” and “democracy”. Their scores are 5.07, 5.02, 4.95, 4.64 and 4.28 respectively. Compared with a month ago, the “prosperity” and “rule of law” indicators both fell back significantly, while the “stability” indicator has registered a new high since May 2019. As for the survey on corporate social responsibility (CSR), the latest results are: KMB is the best local public transportation, while the rating of MTR has increased significantly over the year past; SmarTone is the best local telecommunication corporation, while the rating of China Mobile has increased significantly over the year past; Hang Seng Bank is the best local bank and financial services company, while the ratings of Hang Seng Bank, HSBC and Bank of China have all increased significantly over the year past; Henderson Land Development is the best local real estate and property development company, while the ratings of Henderson Land Development and Sun Hung Kai Properties have increased significantly over the year past; PARKnSHOP is the best local retail company, although its score has dropped significantly over the year past; McDonald’s is the best local fast food restaurant chain and the ratings of all 3 companies on list did not register any significant change in the year past. The effective response rates of various surveys range from 40.6% to 52.9%. The maximum sampling error of ratings is +/-2.4 at 95% confidence level.
Contact Information
| Corporations Naming (I) | Corporations Rating (I) | Core Social Indicators & Corporations Naming (II) | Corporations Rating (II) | ||
| Date of survey | : | 9-12/8/2021 | 20-26/8/2021 | 6-10/9/2021 | 16-18/9/2021 |
| Sample size[1] | : | 1,002 | 1,003 | 1,000 | 511 |
| Landline samples | : | 503 | 505 | 500 | 262 |
| Mobile samples | : | 499 | 498 | 500 | 249 |
| Effective response rate[2] | : | 49.4% | 52.9% | 44.2% | 40.6% |
| Survey method | : | Random telephone survey conducted by real interviewers | |||
| Target population | : | Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above | |||
| Sampling error[3] | : | Sampling error of ratings not more than +/-2.4 at 95% conf. level | |||
| Weighting method | : | Rim-weighted according to figures provided by the Census and Statistics Department. The gender-age distribution of the Hong Kong population came from “Mid-year population for 2020”, while the educational attainment (highest level attended) distribution and economic activity status distribution came from “Women and Men in Hong Kong – Key Statistics (2020 Edition)”. | |||
[1] This figure is the total sample size of the survey. Some questions may only involve a subsample, the size of which can be found in the tables below.
[2] In July 2018, POP revised the calculation of effective response rate. Thus, the response rates before and after the change cannot be directly compared.
[3] All error figures in this release are calculated at 95% confidence level. “95% confidence level” means that if we were to repeat a certain survey 100 times with different random samples, we would expect 95 times having the population parameter within the respective error margins calculated. Because of sampling errors, when quoting percentages, journalists should refrain from reporting decimal places, whereas one decimal place can be used when quoting rating figures.
Core Social Indicators
Herewith the latest figures of the five core social indicators:
| Date of survey | 3-7/5/2021 | 7-10/6/21 | 30/6-8/7/21 | 9-12/8/21 | 6-10/9/21 | Latest change |
| Sample size | 605-610 | 602-607 | 595-606 | 635-666 | 593-605 | — |
| Response rate | 55.5% | 55.1% | 46.4% | 49.4% | 44.2% | — |
| Latest findings | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding & error | — |
| Degree of stability | 4.42[4] | 4.80[4] | 4.76 | 4.99 | 5.07+/-0.24 | +0.08 |
| Degree of prosperity | 4.41[4] | 4.83[4] | 4.94 | 5.52[4] | 5.02+/-0.19 | -0.50[4] |
| Degree of freedom | 4.56 | 4.77 | 4.56 | 5.11[4] | 4.95+/-0.26 | -0.16 |
| Compliance with the rule of law | 4.01[4] | 4.39[4] | 4.48 | 5.06[4] | 4.64+/-0.26 | -0.42[4] |
| Degree of democracy | 3.56 | 3.82 | 4.04 | 4.02 | 4.28+/-0.26 | +0.26 |
[4] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.
On a scale of 0 to 10, people’s ratings on the five core social indicators ranked from the highest to the lowest are “stability”, “prosperity”, “freedom”, “rule of law” and “democracy”. Their scores are 5.07, 5.02, 4.95, 4.64 and 4.28 respectively. Compared with a month ago, the “prosperity” and “rule of law” indicators both receded significantly, while the “stability” indicator has registered a new high since May 2019.
Survey on Corporate Social Responsibility
The survey series on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aims to gauge the public image of different commercial organizations in order to encourage them to become ethical companies and select the best corporations. There are a total of six modules under this survey series, namely, 1) Public Transportation, 2) Telecommunication, 3) Banks and Financial Services, 4) Real Estate and Property Development, 5) Retail, and 6) Fast Food Restaurant.
The surveys were conducted in two stages. In the first stage naming survey, respondents were requested to nominate, unprompted, at most five relevant corporations that they were most familiar with. The three most frequently cited names would enter the next stage. During the second stage rating survey, respondents would be asked to rate the CSR performance for each of the shortlisted corporations using a 0-100 scale, in which 0 indicates extremely poor performance, 100 indicates extremely good performance, and 50 means half-half.
Public Transportation
In the naming survey, the public transportations mentioned most frequently were KMB, MTR and Citybus. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:
| Date of survey | 4/1/18 | 20-23/7/18 | 5-6/8/19 | 9-13/11/20 | 20-26/8/21 | Latest change |
| Sample size | 500 | 500 | 509 | 528 | 637 | — |
| Response rate | 58.5% | 50.8% | 66.6% | 63.9% | 52.9% | — |
| Latest findings | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding & error | — |
| KMB | 63.8 | 59.7[5] | 64.3[5] | 61.6[5] | 59.9+/-1.4 | -1.6 |
| Citybus | 60.0[5] | 59.5 | 62.9[5] | 57.8[5] | 57.3+/-1.4 | -0.6 |
| MTR | 60.1[5] | 56.2[5] | 47.3[5] | 46.5 | 54.4+/-1.9 | +8.0[5] |
[5] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.
Our latest survey showed that KMB was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local public transportations which scored 59.9 marks, while Citybus and MTR scored 57.3 and 54.4 marks respectively. The rating of MTR has increased significantly compared with last year.
Telecommunication Corporations
In the naming survey, the telecommunication corporations mentioned most frequently were China Mobile, Hutchison Telecom and SmarTone. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:
| Date of survey | 5-6/2/18 | 5-6/9/18 / 18-20/9/18 | 5-6/8/19 | 9-13/11/20 | 20-26/8/21 | Latest change |
| Sample size | 505 | 511 / 1,002 | 509 | 543 | 612 | — |
| Response rate | 61.2% | 51.3% / 55.6% | 66.6% | 63.9% | 52.9% | — |
| Latest findings | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding & error | — |
| SmarTone | 51.1 | 54.2[6] | 56.1 | 53.3[6] | 54.9+/-1.7 | +1.6 |
| Hutchison Telecom (“3”) | 45.6[6] | — | 52.3 | 50.4 | 53.1+/-1.8 | +2.7 |
| China Mobile | — | 47.6 | 48.0 | 44.4 | 51.5+/-2.2 | +7.1[6] |
| PCCW | 51.7[6] | 54.5[6] [7] | — | — | — | — |
[6] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.
[7] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level because of a change in the weighting method. If the previous weighting method was used, the difference would not have gone beyond the sampling error.
Our latest survey showed that SmarTone was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local telecommunication corporations which scored 54.9 marks, while Hutchison Telecom and China Mobile scored 53.1 and 51.5 marks respectively. The rating of China Mobile has increased significantly compared with last year.
Banks and Financial Services Companies
In the naming survey, the banks and financial services companies mentioned most frequently were HSBC, Bank of China and Hang Seng Bank. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:
| Date of survey | 5-6/3/18 | 15-19/11/18 | 19-20/8/19 | 9-13/11/20 | 20-26/8/21 | Latest change |
| Sample size | 501 | 545 | 513 | 581 | 597 | — |
| Response rate | 57.7% | 67.9% | 69.8% | 63.9% | 52.9% | — |
| Latest findings | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding & error | — |
| Hang Seng Bank | 62.8 | 64.5 | 63.1 | 56.5[8] | 59.6+/-1.8 | +3.1[8] |
| HSBC | 60.6 | 62.9 | 58.9[8] | 46.3[8] | 52.9+/-2.0 | +6.6[8] |
| Bank of China | 57.4 | 59.3 | 48.1[8] | 45.4 | 52.3+/-2.2 | +6.9[8] |
[8] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.
Our latest survey showed that Hang Seng Bank was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local banks and financial services companies which scored 59.6 marks, while HSBC and Bank of China scored 52.9 and 52.3 marks respectively. The ratings of all three banks have increased significantly compared with last year.
Real Estate and Property Development Companies
In the naming survey, the real estate and property development companies mentioned most frequently were Sun Hung Kai Properties, CK Asset and Henderson Land Development. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:
| Date of survey | 18-19/4/18 | 21-24/1/19 | 19-20/8/19 | 9-13/11/20 | 16-18/9/21 | Latest change |
| Sample size | 503 | 519 | 513 | 564 | 511 | — |
| Response rate | 56.7% | 59.0% | 69.8% | 63.9% | 40.6% | — |
| Latest findings | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding & error | — |
| Henderson Land Development | 50.7 | 48.8 | 49.2 | 48.1 | 53.4+/-2.3 | +5.3[9] |
| CK Asset | 50.3 | 47.9 | 51.2[9] | 53.5 | 52.9+/-2.4 | -0.7 |
| Sun Hung Kai Properties | 48.4[9] | 49.6 | 47.6 | 45.1 | 51.5+/-2.3 | +6.4[9] |
[9] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.
Our latest survey showed that Henderson Land Development was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local real estate and property development companies which scored 53.4 marks, while CK Asset and Sun Hung Kai Properties scored 52.9 and 51.5 marks respectively. The ratings of Henderson Land Development and Sun Hung Kai Properties have increased significantly compared with last year.
Retail Companies
In the naming survey, the retail companies mentioned most frequently were PARKnSHOP, Wellcome and 7-Eleven. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:
| Date of survey | 8-9/5/18 | 14-19/3/19 | 19-20/8/19 | 9-13/11/20 | 16-18/9/21 | Latest change |
| Sample size | 511 | 565 | 513 | 524 | 511 | — |
| Response rate | 60.7% | 73.1% | 69.8% | 63.9% | 40.6% | — |
| Latest findings | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding & error | — |
| PARKnSHOP | 55.8 | 53.8 | 54.7 | 57.1 | 52.4+/-2.2 | -4.7[10] |
| Wellcome | 57.0 | 55.7 | 56.9 | 53.0[10] | 51.7+/-2.1 | -1.4 |
| 7-Eleven | 57.7 | 55.9 | 57.8 | 52.4[10] | 50.5+/-2.0 | -1.9 |
[10] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.
Our latest survey showed that PARKnSHOP was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local retail companies which scored 52.4 marks, although its score has dropped significantly compared with last year. Meanwhile, Wellcome and 7-Eleven scored 51.7 and 50.5 marks respectively.
Fast Food Restaurant Chains
In the naming survey, the fast food restaurant chains mentioned most frequently were Café de Coral, Fairwood and McDonald’s. The latest ratings of these corporations are summarized as follows:
| Date of survey | 6-7/6/18 | 20-23/5/19 | 19-20/8/19 | 9-13/11/20 | 16-18/9/21 | Latest change |
| Sample size | 502 | 687 | 513 | 527 | 511 | — |
| Response rate | 56.0% | 61.9% | 69.8% | 63.9% | 40.6% | — |
| Latest findings | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding | Finding & error | — |
| McDonald’s | 58.2[11] | 56.8 | 56.8 | 52.8[11] | 52.4+/-2.1 | -0.4 |
| Fairwood | 57.1 | 55.9 | 56.4 | 54.8 | 52.3+/-1.8 | -2.4 |
| Café de Coral | 57.3[11] | 55.1[11] | 55.6 | 50.8[11] | 50.0+/-2.1 | -0.8 |
[11] The difference between the figure and the result from the previous survey has gone beyond the sampling error at 95% confidence level, meaning that the change is statistically significant prima facie. However, whether the difference is statistically significant is not the same as whether they are practically useful or meaningful, and different weighting methods could have been applied in different surveys.
Our latest survey showed that McDonald’s was considered as having the best CSR reputation among local fast food restaurant chains which scored 52.4 marks, while Fairwood and Café de Coral scored 52.3 and 50.0 marks respectively.
Opinion Daily
In 2007, POP started collaborating with Wisers Information Limited whereby Wisers supplies to POP a record of significant events of that day according to the research method designed by POP. These daily entries would then become “Opinion Daily” after they are verified by POP.
For some of the polling items covered in this press release, the previous survey was conducted from 2 to 5 February, 2021 while this survey was conducted from 9 to 12 August, 2021. During this period, herewith the significant events selected from counting newspaper headlines and commentaries on a daily basis and covered by at least 25% of the local newspaper articles. Readers can make their own judgment if these significant events have any impacts to different polling figures.
| 7/9/21 | The government resumes the Return2hk Scheme and will launch the Come2hk Scheme. |
| 6/9/21 | The Central Government releases the development plan of Qianhai. |
| 31/8/21 | The government proposes amendments to relax requirements for non-locally trained doctors to practise in Hong Kong. |
| 29/8/21 | The government may launch a universal COVID-19 vaccination programme for all residents. |
| 26/8/21 | The Legislative Council passes waste-charging bill. |
| 24/8/21 | The government further amends the “Film Censorship Ordinance” to ban exhibition of films that are contrary to the interests of national security. |
| 23/8/21 | Officials from the Central Government explain the 14th five-year plan to Hong Kong government officials. |
| 18/8/21 | Police arrests four members of the HKU Students’ Union who allegedly advocated terrorism. |
| 17/8/21 | A worker at airport lounge tests positive, prompting the government to tighten anti-epidemic measures. |
| 15/8/21 | Civil Human Rights Front announces its disbandment. |
| 10/8/21 | The Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union announces it will be dissolved. |
| 17/6/21 | Police arrests senior executives of Apple Daily and freezes assets of the company under the national security law. |
| 30/5/21 | The government and the business sector launch initiatives to encourage vaccination. |
| 21/5/21 | Some universities and corporations launch initiatives to encourage vaccination. |
| 14/5/21 | The government freezes Jimmy Lai’s personal assets under the national security law. |
| 11/4/21 | Four stored value facilities will assist in the distribution of electronic consumption vouchers. |
Data Analysis
Our survey shows that, on a scale of 0 to 10, people’s ratings on the five core social indicators ranked from the highest to the lowest are “stability”, “prosperity”, “freedom”, “rule of law” and “democracy”. Their scores are 5.07, 5.02, 4.95, 4.64 and 4.28 respectively. Compared with a month ago, the “prosperity” and “rule of law” indicators both fell back significantly, while the “stability” indicator has registered a new high since May 2019.
As for the survey on corporate social responsibility (CSR), the latest results are: KMB is the best local public transportation, while the rating of MTR has increased significantly over the year past; SmarTone is the best local telecommunication corporation, while the rating of China Mobile has increased significantly over the year past; Hang Seng Bank is the best local bank and financial services company, while the ratings of Hang Seng Bank, HSBC and Bank of China have all increased significantly over the year past; Henderson Land Development is the best local real estate and property development company, while the ratings of Henderson Land Development and Sun Hung Kai Properties have increased significantly over the year past; PARKnSHOP is the best local retail company, although its score has dropped significantly over the year past; McDonald’s is the best local fast food restaurant chain and the ratings of all 3 companies on list did not register any significant change in the year past.