1. Photo Journal
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Economic inequality is a quite critical problem in Hong Kong. Gini index can be
evidence of economic inequality. 0.4 is the alert level of economic inequality, and in
2016 Hong Kong calculated that the Gini index was 0.539, which is higher than the
alert level. Although the Gini index is not comprehensive, it is enough to show that
Hong Kong was facing the economic inequality problem.
Because of the
economic inequality, the more social problem has appeared in Hong Kong, for
example, the housing problem like photo 2 and a big difference between rich people
and poor people, which may affect their living standards. Just like photo 1, some
elderlies make a living by selling paper.
I choose this topic because it is a common factor in Hong Kong. According to some
phenomena, it is easy for Hong Kong people or even everyone in the world.
However, Hong Kong ranks third in the world’s top ten financial centers. Also, based
on the Hong Kong Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Hong Kong should not be an
imperfect society, but it is not the same as expected. It is interesting to discuss the
reason that Hong Kong has high GDP, but at the same time, the Gini index also
higher than the alert line. In Hong Kong, some places are “slum” like Kwun Tong,
Sham Shui Po, etc., and some are “regal districts” such as Wan Chai, Central and
Western District, etc. In the “slum,” the price is lower than the “regal district,” such as
the rent, the ingredients in the market, etc.
I think the problem of economic inequality will last for a long time. One of the reasons
is that the aging population in Hong Kong will become more serious. For example,
Shum Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong District which identified as “slum,” most of the
residents are elderly because there are more subdivided flat the rent is cheaper and
more affordable to the elderly. Therefore, the difference between “slum” and “regal
district” will be more critical as well. In Hong Kong, people need retirement over 65
years old, so many elderlies do not have retainable income, and they mainly rely on
support from the government like the old age allowance. However, the amount of
support is not that high, and the price in Hong Kong is high, so many elderly need to
live in “slum,” so in the “slum,” mainly residents are the elderly or some teenager
who just stepped into the society. And use a different way to reduce their
expenditure like renting a subdivided flat which does not provide a pleasant
environment like photo 2 or try the gain more money by themselves, for example,
sold the cardboard. Economic inequality is a difficult problem, and the government
cannot support them too much. And for places like “slum,” it seems a paradise for
those people, and it is significant for a society that has a critical problem in economic
inequality. If Hong Kong does not have any subdivided flat or a district like “slum” for
the elderly or some poor, it will be harder for them to live in Hong Kong. Therefore,
“slum” is a little out of place because of Hong Kong’s financial status, and it is a vital
thing in Hong Kong.
Because more searches were done for the topic of economic inequality, I have
excavated something out of my expectation. Hong Kong is known as a cosmopolitan
city, shopping heaven, most of the people think that Hong Kong has a pleasant
environment because of good economic development. However, some tourists felt
different after they traveled to Hong Kong. Even local people can feel that these are
two different faces in Hong Kong, one is abundant, and one is poor. Central, Tsim
Sha Tsui is the place that they think, many tall buildings, and provide a pleasant
environment. However, when you go to Shum Shui Po, Tian Shui Wai, it seems
different from the image that Hong Kong shows; it likes an old district in Hong Kong.
So should the Hong Kong government reconstruction all the old district to create a
complete image of Hong Kong. Unless the Hong Kong government wants to use
those districts to build more HOS, otherwise I do not think it is a good idea for the
government to reconstruct. As I mentioned before, the economic inequality will
maintain for a long time because of the aging population. On the other hand, for
some low-skilled labor in Hong Kong, such as sales, waiters, etc. Their monthly
salary is not that high, and it is hard for them to afford high rent, so for some
teenagers, they will also choose the subdivided flat. Rather than reconstruction the
district, I think that the government so do more things to change the environment of
the subdivided flat, like the Hygiene Situation. The subdivided flat is good for some
people who cannot afford high rent, but the condition should not be too bad. For
example, photo 2 shows a bad case of a subdivided flat; however, in Hong Kong,
most of the subdivided flat is as shown in Figure 2.
I think it is good to have some districts like “slum” because it is a part of Hong Kong
society, and the rent in Hong Kong is too high, in the old community it will be lower
than the “regal district” although it is not a tremendous difference. It is also the
transportation of Hong Kong, and the government needs to find some ways to
reduce the Gini index, to change the phenomenon in Hong Kong. For example,
extend the age of restriction, so the elderly who still can work can gain more money,
or set the minimum salary higher, so Hong Kong people can have more money to
afford the top prices in Hong Kong.
I know the problem of economic inequality is not something that can achieve
overnight. The government needs to organize well and complete it step by step. I
think that the modern and old district remix is a characteristic of Hong Kong, and it is
also a symbolizes of the transformation of Hong Kong. The government can also
refer to the other country like Singapore which has a high GDP but a low Gini index, I
believe that Hong Kong can do it one day if the government tries to reform and
renew some outdated regulations.