CM2 eng 2 issue1 c

Key Point c

Social policy and equal opportunities

83

Core Module II

Issue 1 – What are some of the pluses and minuses of Hong Kong society?

Key Point c – Social policy and equal opportunities

Teachers’ References

Where it is fair, clean and honest, a person will get equal opportunity.

Hong Kong is a fair, clean and honest society under the rule of law. The government and the judiciary have tried to maintain these good qualities. But economic development has led to many problems which threatens Hong Kong as a city of opportunities.

In the 1960s and 1970s, corruption and bribery were very prevalent. They often took the form “tea money”, “black money” and “hell money”, substitutes for bribery.

People’s life and the social order were seriously affected. The establishment of the

Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in 1974 greatly reduces corruption. In 2003, Hong Kong is named as the second cleanest place in Asia, ranking second only to Singapore.

In Hong Kong, groups suffering from discrimination include the elderly, single parents, the disabled, ethnic minorities, new arrivals and the poor. The causes of discrimination against various groups differ, but generally speaking, mainstream society classifies them as groups that occupy a lower economic position. This means they are regarded as contributing less to society. Some people hold deep-rooted prejudices, with the result that these groups suffer from discrimination and are deprived of equal treatment and opportunities.

In a fair society, everyone should be treated equally and should have equal opportunities for development. These are natural rights that come with our birth and which are protected by law. Apart from educating the public about the adverse consequences of discrimination through promotional campaigns, the government also provides various social services, such as education, social security, housing and medical services, to ensure that everyone is provided with an equal opportunity for development.

84

Core Module II



Supplementary material

Today, we see the statue of Themis at the exterior of the Legislative Council Building

(the former Supreme Court Building). On 15 January 1912 this building was officially declared for use by the then Governor Sir Luard. This two-storey building was built with granite, adopted a neo-classical architecture and surrounded by Ionian stone pillars on the ground. The most special structure is the triangular wall in the centre, the top of which is erected the statue of the blindfolded Themis, the Greek Goddess of

Justice. Since 1985 this building has been used as the meeting venue of the

Legislative Council.

In Greek myth, Themis is responsible for upholding justice. She is blindfolded and holds a sword in her left hand and a pair of scales in her right hand. This carries the following meaning:

The sword represents the defence of justice;

The scale symbolizes the weighing of evidence;

The blindfold means the maintenance of fairness and impartiality.

85

Core Module II



Suggested Learning Objectives

Suggested questions for enquiry

Learning objectives

Is Hong Kong a place Understand why Hong Kong of opportunities?

Does hard work promise success?

[1 period] enjoys a reputation of being a place of opportunities: judicial independence, rule of law and efforts of the HKSAR

Remarks government;

Learn the importance of equal opportunities;

Through the experience of people and the movie “Shaolin

Soccer”, appreciate that success is the fruit of diligence and the taking of opportunities.

Is it important to have Understand the meaning of a a society with integrity and

“clean and honest society”, and

“corruption”; uprightness? Discuss the importance of a

[1 – 2 periods]

Use Sources 4 and 5 as an introduction.

Then discuss the importance of a clean clean and honest society and to and honest society. people, to social harmony, economic development and political stability;

Discuss the level of honesty and

Before going into the meaning of a “clean society”, “honesty” and “corruption”, let integrity in Hong Kong as an international city;

Discuss the effectiveness of

ICAC’s anti-corruption efforts. students express their views on first.

86

Core Module II




Are there different kinds of discrimination in

Hong Kong?

[2 periods]

Learning objectives

-

Understand that “equality” is a natural human right protected by

Discuss the duties of

Themis, the Goddess law;

Through the experience of people, analyze the problem of discrimination, such as

Remarks of Justice, shown in

Source 7 and the symbolic meaning of her sword, scales and discrimination against new arrivals, single parents, the poor, recipients of social security, the elderly, ethnic minorities, the blindfold. Then discuss the importance of justice;

Ask: How would you disabled and the female gender.

Discuss the causes of discrimination.

Discuss the impact of discrimination on individuals and society: the individual who is discriminated against loses opportunities to develop and

feel if you suffer from discrimination by others?

Emphasize Hong

Kong as a multi-cultural society.

We should be tolerant and respectful and may suffer from low self-esteem, discrimination should help others when they have destroyed the principle of a fair problems. society, resulting in social dissension and the destruction of

Refer to

“Supplementary harmonious relationships material” for the between peoples.

Discuss correct attitudes towards

Goddess of Justice. communities and peoples who are different and ways of getting along with them.

87

Core Module II




Learning objectives Remarks

To what extent do the Understand government social social reforms and policies of the government policies and their objectives;

Understand the recent social policy reforms carried out by the

Remind students that social policies not only include social welfare, medical guarantee equal government; opportunities and fair Analyze the policies if they can distribution of wealth?

[2 periods] ensure equal opportunities and fairer distribution of wealth. services and housing, but also education, community participation, youth services, labour and family affairs and retirement schemes;

Currently, the government contracts out certain social services to the private sector, e.g. secondary courses for adults, originally run by public evening schools. Discuss whether such services should be provided by the government.

88

Core Module II



Suggested questions for enquiry:

Is Hong Kong a place of opportunities? Does hard work promise success?

Source 1

Source 2

Hong Kong is Asia’s world city … It has a fair and independent judicial system and both the government and Hong Kong people uphold the rule of law. We are determined to preserve a level playing field, adhere to our “big market, small government” policy and maintain a simple regime of low taxation. We are adamant in maintaining an efficient and favourable environment for business which we are proud of. We will continue to safeguard the free flow of capital and protect the freedoms and rights of Hong Kong people.

Citation from:

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China.

Address by the Chief Executive The Honourable Tung Che-hwa at the Legislative Council meeting on 8 January 2003: Capitalising on Our Advantages, Revitalising Our Economy . Hong Kong:

Printing Department, 2003, p.13.

89

Core Module II



Source 3

This is the narrative of a short film produced by the HKSAR government.

I see my own shop.

I see myself. ...

I see customers queuing for miles.

I see no reason why not.

I see myself performing to thousands.

I see new heights. a scientist ... a doctor ... a lawyer

I see massive opportunity.

If only you could see what I see.

Hong Kong: Asia’s world city.

Citation from:

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China. Hong

Kong: Asia’s World City – Videos and Music: “Hong Kong: Asia’s World City (Opportunities)”

<http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/brandhk/script7e.htm> [accessed 10 February 2003].

90

Core Module II



Source 4

With the help of a social organization, a group of unemployed middle-aged men open a second-hand shop in Tsuen Wan. The shop is filled with electrical goods donated by residents in the district. One of the shopkeepers had once worked in a textile factory but later became unemployed when the factory moved its production line to the mainland. Through the experience of being a shopkeeper of a second-hand shop, he hopes to learn the skill of running a business with little start-up capital so that he can start his own business in future.

Summarized from:

《明報新界西專線》，

2003

年

1

月

25

日。

Source 5

“Windsurfing Queen” Lee Lai-san started windsurfing at the age of 12. She formally joined the Hong Kong team and became a professional athlete when she was 19 years old. As a result of tough training and continuous effort, Lee won the championship for Hong Kong in the 1996 Olympics Games held in Atlanta and two gold medals in the recent Asian Games (in 1998 and 2002). On 5 December

2002 she was conferred an honorary doctorate degree by the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She said, “Victory comes from your will. You must concentrate on what you do and must be persevering, determined, hardworking and be able to recover quickly from failure, before you succeed.”

Summarized from:

Press Release of the Chinese University of Hong Kong,

<http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ipro/pressrelease/Lee%20Laishan-e.htm> [accessed 15 March 2003].

中華網

–

〈體育界－李麗珊帆船皇后〉，

<http://big5.china.com/gate/big5/hongkong.china.com/zh_cn/people/more/979/20001027/7479.ht

ml> [

下載日期：

2003

年

3

月

15

日

]

。

91

Core Module II



Source 6

“Shaolin Soccer”, a movie produced by Hong Kong, tells the story of a group of

Shaolin followers who had superb kungfu skills (Chinese martial art skills). After a series of ordeals, they finally became world famous. Hong Kong’s current economic growth is slow and unemployment rate is high. Yet, over 100 foreign corporations set up their offices or Asian headquarters in Hong Kong in the past year. This shows that Hong Kong still retains its advantages and is still a place of opportunities. If Hong Kong people can regain their confidence and actively take hold of the opportunities available, if they can learn from the Shaolin followers in the movie – keep up the will to fight against adverse conditions, they can create their futures by their own diligence.

Adapted from:

曾仲榮編。《香港出路

–

知識經濟》。香港：經濟日報出版社，

2002

，頁

71

至

72

。

Source 7

World martial arts champion and one of the Ten Outstanding Youths, Ng

Siu-ching has won numerous international prizes for Hong Kong. At present, she holds two master’s degrees. Ironically, she is unable to find employment in the sports sector.

Summarized from:

《大公報》，

2003

年

1

月

15

日。

《新報》，

2003

年

1

月

16

日。

92









Core Module II



Questions for discussion:

In your opinion, in what kind of society can people freely pursue their ideals, create their own future and grasp every opportunity for success?

 Is Hong Kong a place of opportunities? Why or why not? (Hints: Ask students to think about the policy of “small government”, the protection of people’s rights by law and the freedom to invest.)

How does the HKSAR government ensure a level playing field for competition?

Why is a level playing field important to us?

All the sources in this section convey this message: “We should take hold of available opportunities in good times and bad. When we are in adversity, we should be even more persevering.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

When an opportunity becomes immediately available, what should we do to increase our chance of success? (Hint: Ask students to think in terms of continuous learning, seriousness towards work, active mastery of the most updated information, etc.)

93

Core Module II



Suggested question for enquiry:

Is it important to have a society with integrity and uprightness?

Source 1

A “clean society” means that people in the society are sincere, honest and not greedy for material gain. “Honesty” means keeping promises, good faith and loyalty. An honest person must possess the qualities of being able to keep his promises, acting in good faith and being loyal and reliable. Honesty also means not telling lies, not misleading other people by illegal means and not concealing information that must be disclosed. An honest person carries out his duties seriously and is a loyal and conscientious worker. Honesty is a vital moral element in maintaining the integrity of the family and an indispensable virtue in maintaining friendships.

From general business activities to various kinds of professional services and the execution of various public duties, the virtue of honesty is also absolutely essential. It is especially important to those who carry out public duties. Imagine if there is a general absence of honesty among officials and political figures who fill various public offices! What would happen to society? To sum up, honesty is an indispensable quality in maintaining a family, establishing friendships and building society.

Citation from:

24

、

27

，

1998

年

5

月及

1999

年

5

月，

<http://www.icac.org.hk/me/>

[

下載日期：

2003

年

3

月

15

日

]

。

Source 2

Corruption occurs when an individual gains personal benefits by illegal means and harms others’ benefits. Corruption directly results in unfairness and unreasonableness. More seriously, it indirectly puts people’s lives and properties at stake.

Citation from:

ICAC website – “Prevention Tools and Services: What is corruption?”,

<http://www.icac.org.hk/eng/prevt/index.html> [accessed 15 March 2003].

94

Core Module II



Source 3

The following posters are produced by the Independent Commission Against

Corruption (ICAC).

Source:

Independent Commission Against Corruption.

95

Core Module II



Source 4

Today, Sunny asked me to help him complete his mathematics assignment and he promised to treat me a soft drink. I knew that it was not right to help him, but I was afraid of upsetting him. So I finally helped him. Sunny kept his promise and treated me a bottle of soft drink during recess. As I drank it, I felt uncomfortable.

Was I right in doing so? … How is it different from corruption? Even though it was just a bottle of soft drink, I shouldn’t have drunk it! Large-scale corruption always begins with small-scale corruption … I regretted what I had done and I felt

I had polluted this clean society.

Citation from:

郭惟嘉。〈一瓶不該喝的汽水〉，

<http://cs.school.net.hk/writing/sharing/sharing9808003.shtml

> [

下

載日期：

2003

年

3

月

15

日

]

。

Source 5

A director of an engineering company was charged by the ICAC with one count of conspiring to offer a total bribery of $1.5 million to a chief building services engineer of the Housing Department, in return for preferential treatment by that engineer in respect of a re-development project of the Department. On 28

February 2003 he was sentenced by the District Court to four years’ imprisonment.

Citation from:

ICAC website – Press release, 28 February 2003, <http://www.icac.org.hk/eng/0/1/8/13629.html>

[accessed 15 March 2003].

96

Core Module II



Source 6

Between January and February 2003, Political and Economic Risk Consultancy

Company conducted a survey on the problem of corruption and asked 1,072 expatriate employees in Asia to assess the seriousness of the problem in the regions. This table shows the results of the survey.

Rank

Singapore

Hong Kong, China

Japan

South Korea

Malaysia

Taiwan, China

Philippines mainland of China

Thailand

Vietnam

India

Indonesia

Grades in 2003 (Grades in 2002)

0.38 (0.90)

3.61 (3.33)

4.45 (3.25)

5.50 (5.75)

6.00 (5.71)

6.33 (5.83)

7.67 (8.00)

8.33 (7.00)

8.75 (8.89)

8.83 (8.25)

9.30 (9.17)

9.33 (9.92)

Note: 10 is the highest grade. The higher the grade, the more serious the problem of corruption.

Summarized from:

《明報》，

2003

年

3

月

12

日。

《蘋果日報》，

2003

年

3

月

12

日。

97











Core Module II




Why is a clean society and honesty important to individuals and to society?

What would happen if a society is not clean and honest? Use an example to illustrate your answer. (Hint: Ask students to think in terms of social stability, economic development and day-to-day life.)

Why did the narrator in Source 4 say, “I felt I had polluted this clean society”? If you were him, what would you have done if Sunny asked you to help him?

Which organization in Hong Kong is responsible for carrying out anti-corruption work and promoting anti-corruption campaigns and honesty in society? Is its work important? Why or why not?

Do you think Hong Kong is a clean and honest society?

98

Core Module II




Are there different kinds of discrimination in Hong Kong?

Source 1

… all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Citation from:

The 1776 Declaration of the Independence of America,

<http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html> [accessed 15 March 2003].

Source 2

Miss Keung has been living in Hong Kong for over two years. Just like many newly arrived migrants, she often complains that she is not welcome by Hong

Kong people, that her ability is not recognized and that her Cantonese is a laughing-stock. Many Hong Kong people think that she is like other newly arrived migrants from the mainland – very impolite and vulgar.

Citation from:

新福事工協會網頁 — 《再植苗根

1997

文集》

(

網上版

)

， http://www.newarrivals.org.hk/books/book02/doc-open-01.htm [

下載日期：

2003

年

3

月

15

日

]

。

99

Core Module II



Source 3

The following passage describes the feeling of a group of single parents who suffer from discrimination.

Poverty makes us feel bad; discrimination makes us feel worse!

We are poor single parents with a low level of education and are aged over 30.

When we read a newspaper, we always feel frustrated. We mail out job application letters, employers who have read about our background would refuse to hire us. An employer told one of us, “You are a single parent and have two children. You would have to apply for leave whenever something happens to your children. We are really busy here, so I don’t think the position is suitable for you.” We are unemployed not because we don’t have capabilities. Why are we looked down?

Adapted from:

Sze Man-hung and Ng Chun-hung. The Different Faces of Poverty in Hong Kong . Hong Kong: Caritas

Youth and Community Service,1997, p.146.

Source 4

Source:

Equal Opportunities Commission.

100

Core Module II



Source 5

This table shows the number of enquiries and complaints received by the Equal

Opportunities Commission in 2000 to January 2003.

Category 2000 2001 2002

Enquiries

Complaints

Complaints handled*

10,196

739

989

12,470

1,651

2,063

10,385

785

1,749

January

2003

797

61

377

Note: The figures include discrimination on grounds of gender, disability and family status.

* Number including complaints carried forward from previous years.

Adapted from:

Equal Opportunities Commission - Resource Centre: Complaints and Enquiries Statistics,

<http://www.eoc.org.hk/CE/statistic/index.htm> [accessed 15 March 2003].

Source 6

The decline of the garment industry in which Lee worked for decades and the arrival of his wife and son from the Mainland led to financial problems in Lee’s family. Lee applied for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme

(CSSA). He explained, “I don’t like to receive welfare under the CSSA because doing so makes me feel like a beggar … When I am doing exercise in a park, I can sometimes hear criticisms from many women against elderly recipients of the

CSSA. I feel very upset. They criticize wantonly without understanding why people apply for the CSSA. If I can earn $4,000 or $5,000, I would not accept welfare under the CSSA even if you give it to me.”

Adapted from:

香港：樂施會，

2002

年，頁

24

。

101

Core Module II



Source 7

Source:

Department of History, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

102









Core Module II




Do you know where you can see the statue shown in Source 7? Do you know who the Goddess is? She is blindfolded and holds a sword in one hand and a pair of scales in the other hand. Do you know what these mean?

Do you agree that “everyone is born equal” and “everyone is equal before the law”? Why?

 Do you think discrimination exists in Hong Kong? If yes, then what kind of discrimination exists in our society?

 What factors give rise to the problem of discrimination? Illustrate your answer with one kind of discrimination.

What are the effects of discrimination on individuals and society? (Hint: Students can think about the people who suffer from discrimination, social harmony and stability.)

How can discrimination be reduced or eliminated?

103

Core Module II




To what extent do the social reforms and policies of the government guarantee equal opportunities and fair distribution of wealth?

Source 1

What facilities and services does the government provide to Hong Kong residents which may lead to a fairer distribution of wealth and provide equal opportunities for individuals? Is it an intention of the HKSAR Government?

Source:


104

Core Module II



Source 2

Social welfare Medical and health care Housing



Payments under the

Comprehensive Social

Security Assistance

(CSSA) Scheme to able-bodied recipients will be reduced by

11.1% from June 2003.



CSSA payments to



Beginning from November

2002, a charging scheme was introduced to the

Accident and Emergency

Department of public hospitals. Each visit to the department costs $100.



A total of 1,200 beds in the



Home Ownership Scheme

(HOS) flats ceased to be sold from November 2002.



The cessation of the construction of HOS flats was announced in November 2002.



The Housing Authority introduced the Home disabled recipients

(including elderly employment and leave the safety net.



CSSA applicants must general wards of public hospitals will be cut in the social workers will be

Assistance Loan Scheme

(HALS) in early 2003 to disabled recipients and people certified by a fiscal year 2003-2004.



Commencing from April doctor as having poor 2003, the charges of medical health) will be cut in services provided by public two stages: by 6% from hospitals will be raised. The

October 2003 and by charge increase covers the remaining 5.1% in-patient services, from October 2004.



The Old Age

Allowance Scheme will remain unchanged.



The Social Welfare specialist out-patient services, general out-patient services and prescriptions.



Commencing from April

2003, an exempt

Department will continue to implement the Support for

Self-reliance Scheme, assisting unemployed

CSSA recipients to find mechanism will be introduced. Poor people and people in need would receive free services or services at reduced rates after they successfully replace the Home Purchase

Loan Scheme and the Home

Starter Loan Scheme. HALS is available for application by both public housing tenants and other home buyers. Three different options in subsidy and repayment are available to successful HALS applicants.

The maximum amount of loan is $530,000. Successful single applicants will receive half of the loan amount.



Tenants of public housing whose income exceeds the set limit continue to pay market rent.



The number of newly pass assets and income assessments. Medical constructed public housing flats will be reduced from have been a Hong Kong resident for at least responsible for carrying out the assessments.

32,000 in 2000 to 20,000 each year beginning from 2003.



Only residents who have lived seven years with effect from 1 January 2004.

in Hong Kong for not less than seven years are eligible to apply for public housing.

Summarized from:

Social Welfare Department website, <http://www.info.gov.hk/swd/html_tc/index.html> [accessed 15

March 2003].

Housing Authority and Housing Department website,

<http://www.housingauthority.gov.hk/en> [accessed 15 March 2003].

Health, Welfare and Food Bureau website, <http://www.hwfb.gov.hk/> [accessed 15 March 2003].

Hospital Authority website, <http://www.ha.org.hk/hesd/nsapi/> [accessed 15 March 2003].

Local newspapers, 27 December 2002 – 12 March 2003.

105

Core Module II



Source 3

Some people, who suffer from illnesses such as high blood pressure or thyroid cancer or high cholesterol level, and who have to pay regular hospital visits, said that they would only acquire drugs and pay for them selectively after the charging scheme was introduced for prescriptions and treatment.

Summarized from:

《明報》，

2003

年

2

月

6

日。

《蘋果日報》，

2003

年

3

月

22

日。

Source 4

Source:


106

Core Module II



Source 5

A spokesman for the the Hospital Authority said that under the circumstances of limited resources and soaring medical costs, a suitable adjustment in fees and the introduction of new fees can concentrate resources and help those truly in need … Although some patients are against fee adjustment, some people agree that the new policy can have a deterrent effect on those who abuse public health care services.

Summarized from:

《明報》，

2003

年

2

月

6

日。

《大公報》，

2003

年

3

月

12

日。

Source 6

Currently, newly arrived migrants can apply for welfare under the Comprehensive

Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme after they have resided in Hong Kong for one year. They can apply for public housing after residing in Hong Kong for not less than seven years. For medical and health care services, there is no residence requirement … After careful consideration, the Task Force on

Population Policy decides that there is a necessity to eliminate existing unreasonableness in eligibility in the application for major subsidized services. A unified eligibility criterion, i.e. a residence period of not less than seven years, should be applied to all heavily subsidized social services, such as CSSA payments and medical and health care service. Eligibility based on a residence period of not less than seven years reflects the contribution a resident has made towards our economy over a continuous period in Hong Kong.

Citation from:

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China. Report of the Task Force on Population Policy. Hong Kong: Printing Department, 2003, pp. 66-67.

107

Core Module II



Source 7

The Director of Social Welfare said that if residents are truly in need, the

Department would definitely provide them with assistance even though they have resided in Hong Kong for less than seven years.

Summarized from:

《明報》，

2003

年

3

月

11

日。

《星島日報》，

2003

年

3

月

11

日。

Source 8

The aim of public housing is to provide housing to people with financial problems … At present, a number of rich families still live in public housing, and it is not fair to those who are truly in need … The HKSAR government should tighten its policy on rich tenants and make periodic rental contracts …

Summarized from:

《文匯報》，

2003

年

3

月

1

日。

108









Core Module II




What is social policy? What are its objectives?

What kind of social welfare services does the HKSAR government provide?

Do you think that recent changes in social security payment, medical charges and in housing policies would really result in “the effective use of limited resources and assistance to those truly in need”? Why or why not?

 Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary for Administration, mentioned in The Report of the

Task Force on Population Policy that “eligibility based on a residence period of not less than seven years reflects the contribution a resident has made towards our economy over a continuous period in Hong Kong”. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Do you think that recent social reforms and policies in Hong Kong may lead to a fairer distribution of wealth and provide equal opportunities for individuals? Is it an intention of the HKSAR Government? Illustrate your answer with one social policy.

109

CM2 eng 2 issue1 c

Key Point c

Social policy and equal opportunities

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Key Point c

Social policy and equal opportunities

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