quality of life notes ©ls hub 1quality of life notes ©ls hub 6 quality of life in dse liberal...

QUALITY OF LIFE NOTES ©LS HUB 1


Table of Contents

1.0 Prologue and Quality of Life

➢ Prologue P. 3

2.0 Quality of Life in DSE Liberal Studies

➢ DSE Records about Quality of Life P. 4-5

➢ DSE Liberal Studies Requirement on Quality of Life P. 6-7

3.0 Fundamental Concepts of Quality of Life

➢ Definition of Quality of Life P. 8

➢ General Application of Quality of Life P. 9

➢ Material Life and Spiritual Life P. 10-14

➢ General Indicators of Quality of Life P. 15-17

4.0 Indicators in measuring Quality of Life

➢ Economic Indicators of Quality of Life P. 18-33

➢ Social Indicators of Quality of Life P. 34-42

➢ Political Indicators of Quality of Life P. 43-47

➢ Cultural Indicators of Quality of Life P. 48-52

➢ Environmental Indicators of Quality of Life P. 53-60

5.0 Methods and Obstacles in Quality of Life

➢ Methods in maintaining and improving Quality of Life P. 61-65

➢ Evaluation of Hong Kong’s Quality of Life from CUHK Quality of Life Index P. 66-69

6.0 Hong Kong Today – Facts and Information about Hong Kong

➢ Basic Facts of Hong Kong P. 70-71

➢ Hong Kong History P. 72-74

➢ Economic Characteristics of Hong Kong P. 75

➢ Geographical Characteristics of Hong Kong P. 76-78

➢ Common Issues related to Quality of Life P.79

7.0 Skills about Quality of Life Question

➢ Questions directly related to Quality of Life P. 80-90

8.0 Practice and Exercises

➢ Point-thinking Exercises P. 91-101

➢ Mock Papers about Quality of Life P. 102-109

Blank Note Page P. 110-114


Prologue

In DSE Liberal Studies, there are 6 modules and 12 themes:

1. Personal Development and Interpersonal Relationships

a. Understanding Oneself

b. Interpersonal Relationships

2. Hong Kong Today

a. Quality of Life

b. Rule of Law and Socio-political Participation

c. Identity

3. Modern China

a. China’s reform and opening-up

b. Chinese Culture and Modern Life

4. Globalization

a. Impact of Globalization and its related responses

5. Public Health

a. Understanding of Public Health

b. Science, Technology and Public Health

6. Energy, Technology and the Environment

a. Influences of Energy Technology

b. The Environment and Sustainable Development

From all the modules, Hong Kong Today is the most important and essential module in

Liberal Studies DSE Examination. Under Hong Kong Today, Quality of Life is the most

important theme and more than half of the questions in the DSE paper are related to

Quality of Life. Therefore, students must study and revise well on Quality of Life to achieve

higher score in Liberal Studies. This revision book is an essential item in revising and

understanding related concepts about Hong Kong Today and Quality of Life.


DSE Questions about Quality of Life

Year Paper No. Question Marks

2013 2 3a How may sustainable development help to improve

people’s quality of life in China? Explain your answer.

8

2014 1 1c “Expressing demands through processions and

demonstrations helps to improve the quality of life of

Hong Kong people.” To what extent do you agree with

this view? Explain your answer with reference to the

sources and your own knowledge.

8

2014 2 3a Evaluate the impact of night lighting on the quality of

life of Hong Kong people. Justify your answer.

10

2015 2 2b Source A claims that “standard working hours is

essential to the improvement of the quality of life of


this claim? Explain your answer.

12

2016 1 1c “Urban farming will improve the quality of life of

people in Hong Kong.” Explain how the sources support

this claim.

8

2017 1 3a Based on the source, compare the levels of happiness

in Singapore and Hong Kong, and compare the patterns

of satisfaction with quality of life in these two places.

5

2017 1 3b Based on the source, explain which two dimensions of

quality of life in Hong Kong should be given priority for

enhancement in order to raise the level of happiness in

Hong Kong. For each dimension you have mentioned,

suggest and explain one way by which the satisfaction

with quality of life in that dimension could be enhanced

in Hong Kong.

8

2017 2 3a In what ways might the modernisation of traditional

wet markets as described in the source improve the

8


quality of life of people in Hong Kong? Explain your

answer.

2018 2 3a Explain the possible impact of the spread of

antimicrobial resistance on quality of life.

8

DSE Records of Issues related to Quality of Life

Year Paper No. Question

2012 1 1 Ageing Population

2012 2 1 Transport Infrastructure

2013 2 1 Solid Waste Disposal

2013 2 3 Sustainable Development in China

2014 1 1 Protest and Demonstration

2014 1 2 Hong Kong’s Energy Policy

2014 2 3 Light Pollution

2015 2 2 Standard Working Hours

2016 1 1 Hong Kong’s Agricultural Development

2016 2 2 Local Traditional Businesses

2017 1 3 Happiness Index between Hong Kong and Singapore

2017 2 1 Fast Fashion

2017 2 3 Traditional Wet Market and Culture

2018 2 2 Electric Vehicles


Quality of Life in DSE Liberal Studies Curriculum:

Module 2 - Hong Kong Today, Theme 1 - Quality of Life

Basic Learning Objectives of Quality of Life in DSE Liberal Studies:

• Needs and Problems of Hong Kong Society

• Historical and Current Development of the Hong Kong Economy

• Functions and services of the government

• Physical and Human characteristics of the environment of Hong Kong

• Rights and Responsibilities of Consumers

• Current environmental issues in Hong Kong

Questions for enquiry of Quality of Life:

Key Question: Which directions might be chosen in maintaining and improving Hong Kong

residents’ quality of life?

• What are the different opinions of Hong Kong residents on the priorities which

constitute the quality of life?

• Which aspects of the quality of life are seen to be more important? Which are seen

to be immediate needs? Who might make the decisions? Why?

• How can individuals or organizations contribute to the maintenance and

improvement of quality of life? What are the obstacles of their effort? Which groups

of people are most affected if these obstacles are not removed?


Explanatory notes from the C&A Guide

Possible perspectives from which to measure the quality of life according to objective

criteria or subjective judgment might include:

- The economic perspective (e.g. unemployment rate, per capita gross

domestic product, real wages, disparity between the rich and poor)

- The social perspective (e.g. the level of medical and health care, access to

education and its level, equal opportunities)

- The cultural perspective (e.g. diversity, heritage)

- The political perspective (e.g. human rights and rule of law, freedom of the

press, the government’s performance)

- The environmental perspective (e.g. level of pollution, development of

environmental protection and conservation)

- People’s opinions about the quality of life may vary according to short and

long-term costs and benefits to individuals, social groups and government

- Hurdles with respect to maintaining and improving the quality of life, e.g.

mobilisation of resources, technological level, social cohesion, perceptions of

social justice, regional and international factors

- Valuation of the quality of life may vary according to:

- different configurations of people / social strata / interest groups

- majority vs. minority

- vocal vs. silent

- active vs. passive

- abundance vs. scarcity

- judgment of urgency: consideration of personal, group and public

interests


Fundamental Concepts of Quality of Life

Conceptualization - Quality of Life

• Individuals’ level of satisfaction in relation to the different aspects of their lives

• People’s satisfaction towards material life and spiritual life

• General well being of individuals and society

Basic Concept Map:

Quality of Life can be separated into 2 general measurements:

1. Quality - Subjective v.s. Objective

2. Life - Material v.s. Non-material (Spiritual)

Checkpoint: Define “Quality of Life”

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________


Standard of Living

Standard of Living is the degree of wealth, comfort, material goods and necessities available

to a certain class in a certain area.

It is often objectively measured and it is usually measuring about the daily living and daily

life.

The Standard can be objectively measured by some specific indicators such as

unemployment rate, consumer price index……

Maslow’s Hierarchy of

Needs:

Standard of Living is the

basic need in Physiological

Needs

As living standard

improves, the level of

hierarchy also rises to

another level

***Improve in standard of Living DOES NOT MEAN improve in quality of life, if your

standard of living improves but it damages the environment, then the Quality of Life does

not improve

衣

Clothing

食

Eating

住

Living

行

Transport

Material Life – Living


Material Life

Material Life is the quality of life that things can be directly bought by money. It is affected

by the material happiness that can be bought by money.

Use money to exchange for happiness -> Material Life

Usually, material life are usually something tangible because those are things that you can

directly bought by money.

Examples of Material Life: Clothing, Houses, Bus Transportation, Ocean Park Ticket, IPhone

X, Massage Service, Cup Noodles, Cosmetic Products……

Materialism (物質主義) – Hong Kong is a materialistic society. In Hong Kong, some people

believe that buying a lot of materialistic products can fulfil their happiness and that will

increase their quality of life.

An improve a material life DOES NOT MEAN an improve in quality of life, as an improve a

material life DOES NOT MEAN that there is an improve in spiritual life.

Consumerism (消費主義) – Some people think that buying a lot of things/doing a lot of

economic transactions can bring happiness.

Materialism V.S. Consumerism

Materialism Consumerism

More like to be individual More like to be social


Spiritual Life

Spiritual Life is the quality of life that things cannot be bought by money directly. It is

affected by personal happiness and esteem.

Cannot use money to exchange happiness -> Spiritual Life

As spiritual life and material life are opposite concepts (As one requires money, one does

not), spiritual life is also known as non-material life (非物質生活)

Usually, spiritual life are usually something intangible which you can not see and touch it

because it is about your personal happiness and esteem.

Examples of Spiritual Life: Marriage, Esteem, Interpersonal Relationships, Love, Personal

Health, Self-actualization……

Self-esteem (自尊) is often measured to affective or emotional aspect of self.


Subjective Perceptions

Subjective Perceptions is the personal view/opinion/feeling towards life satisfaction. It is

very subjective (Personal).

Is this glass of water half full or half empty?

______________________________________

Actually, there is no definite answer for this

question, both answers are correct. But how

you think, how you perceive about the figure is

your own subjective perception.

It is very difficult and hard to measure something with subjective perceptions and personal

view.

Example: Are you happy? Do you think you are beautiful?.......

For these questions, it is hard to give you an accurate answer. Perhaps I think myself being

happy, but you may think that I am negative or unhappy. Different people have different

opinion/perceptions towards these subjective measurements. It Is hard to have a definite

accurate answer, very subjective.

Relations to Quality of Life:

One of the measurements towards quality of life is life satisfaction and happiness. This is the

measurement in which citizens feel happy and feel good on their living on the society.

So how can we measure how happy the citizens feel? How do they feel on their living? This

is very subjective.

DSE_2017_P1_Q3_Comparison of Happiness Index and life satisfaction between Hong Kong

and Singapore


Objective Environment

Objective Environment is the universal view/opinion/feeling towards life situation. It is very

objective (universal) – Everybody thinks and agrees/disagrees with that.

Complete the following test:

1. 22+44 = __________

2. A, B, C, D, E, F, ____

3. The Gini Co-efficient of Hong Kong is ___________

4. The Capital City of China is _____________.

There is an absolute correct

answer for the question.

Score: ____/4

Complete the following test:

1. The Housing Price of Hong Kong is high/low.

2. The air pollution in Beijing is serious/not serious.

3. The unemployment rate in Hong Kong is high/low.

In these questions, as there are

a specific indicator to measure

about the performance, people

will have a general view. This is

the objective environment

The objective environment is simpler to measure as it can be measured by some specific

indicators with specific levels, boundaries, values, statistics that can prove a phenomenon

(E.g. Unemployment rate, Income median, Air pollution index……) A number can directly tell

you the phenomenon and everybody will agree with that, that is the objective environment.

There is always a specific number or statistic on objective environment.

E.g. Unemployment rate of Hong Kong = 2.8% (Quite Low -> Good economy), Consumer

Price Index = 3.1% (Quite High), Air Pollution Index, Rule of Law Index, Education Level

(PISA)


Life Satisfaction

Life Satisfaction is generally the subjective view of how satisfied/happy your daily living is.

It is subjective view because the satisfaction or happiness cannot be easily measured, it is

your own perception and your own opinion. Someone might think that they are very happy,

but some might not.

The measurement of life satisfaction can vary from different aspects such as economy,

happiness, esteem, society, politics, social atmosphere…… But in general, it can be

measured in terms of personal and social.

Personal: How happy are you? Personal happiness

Social: How is the social atmosphere? The economy? Open-spaces? As society also affect

one person’s life

Life Satisfaction and Quality of Life

Life satisfaction is approximately positively correlated with Quality of Life

But the quality might be affected by the objective environment and subjective perceptions.

You might have high personal life satisfaction but if the objective environment is poor, the

general quality of life will also be poor.

DSE_2017_P1_Q3 – Comparison of Happiness Index and Life Satisfaction between Hong

Kong and Singapore


Human Development Index

Human Development Index is the indicator used to measure a country's overall

achievement in its social and economic dimensions. The social and economic dimensions of

a country are based on the health of people, their level of education attainment and their

standard of living……

Human Development index is an integrated and complicated indicator which can reflect the

situation of Quality of Life of Hong Kong people.

The main indicators involving in the human development index are:

• Health – Life Expectancy

• Education Achievement – Years of education

• Living Standard – GNI (Gross National Income)

The value of human developing index is only ranging from 0-1.

The Human Development Index Ranking in 2015:

Rank Country/Region Index Value

1 Norway 0.949

2 Australia 0.939

2 Switzerland 0.939

4 Germany 0.926

5 Denmark/Singapore 0.925

12 Hong Kong 0.917

Among the countries, the first 25% will be regarded as extremely high human development

standard. The next 25% will be high human development level. The next 25% will be

medium human development level and the remaining 25% will be low human development

level.

Human Development index can reflect quality of life in a certain extent. A high development

index implies a high living standard and a better quality of life.


Quality of Life Index

Quality of Life Index is an indicator that measures the performance of quality of life of a

region.

There are different quality of life indices in different places, directed by different authorities

with different measuring indicators. But they are all related to quality of life, there are

complicated and different measurements towards quality of life.

For example, the quality of life index directed by Chinese University of Hong Kong:

Quality of Life Index (CUHK) [For Hong Kong]

From Chinese University of Hong Kong [2003] Measurement: Hong Kong changes of Quality of Life Indicator Standard: Social, Economic, Environmental Index Involved: Freedom of Press Index, Government Performance Index, Pressure Index...

The base number is 100 and the CUHK Hong Kong Quality of Life Index in 2016 is 105.39.


Measurement of Quality of Life in 5 Aspects

Economical

(經濟層面)

• Type of Industry (Primary Industry, Tertiary Industry…) • Economic Base (Externally Oriented Economy…) • Type of Economy (Command Economy, Mixed Economy…) • Economic Income Level (GDP, Income Median…) • Wage Level (Actual Wage, Inflation Level...) • Employment Performance (Unemployment rate…) • Disparity (Gini Co-efficient, 1/10 Income Distribution…) • Price Level (Consumer Price Index CPI…)

Social

(社會層面)

• Medical Performance (Life Expectancy, Medical Resources…) • Education Performance (Education Level, Education Upward

Mobility…) • Social Welfare Performance (Policy, Welfare…) • Equality (Equal Opportunities, Upward Mobility…)

Political

(政治層面)

• Rights (Human Rights, Civil Rights…) • Rule of Law (Implementation of law…) • Freedom of Press (News, Media…) • Government Performance (Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness…)

Cultural

(文化層面)

• Cultural Diversity (Inclusion of culture…) • Maintaining of Culture (Tangible Culture, Intangible Culture ) • Customs and Courtesies (Manners, Etiquette, civilized…)

Environmental

(環境層面)

• Pollution Level (Light Pollution, Waste Disposal, Water Pollution, Noise Pollution, Air Pollution...)

• Urban Planning (Sustainable Development...) • Environmental Preservation (4P’s...) • Life Area (Housing Flat Area…)


Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the measurement of total market value of all final goods

and services produced by all resident producing units of a country or an economic territory

in a given period of time (A year, a quarter…..)

Measurement of GDP: (Formula = Output x Market Value Per Unit)

Year 20X1 Output Market Value (Per Unit)

Apple 100 units $5

Private Flats 10 units $1,000,000

The GDP of the region in year 20X1 is = 100x5 + 10x1000000 = $10,000,500

Year 20X2 Output Market Value (Per Unit)

Apple 100 units $10

Private Flats 10 units $3,000,000

The GDP of the region in year 20X2 is = ___________________________________________

The above phenomenon comparing 20X1 and 20X2 has the same output but a different

market value, so the GDP also increases. The limitation of Nominal GDP (above situation) is

that the value is affected by the price of goods and services.

Nominal GDP – GDP evaluated at current market price (Price as the factor). The nominal

GDP will include all of the changes in market prices that have occurred during the current

year due to inflation or deflation.

Real GDP – GDP evaluated at the market price of a base year.

Real GDP = Output of Current Year x Market Price of Base Year

GDP Per Capita (人均生產總值): The amount of GDP calculated based on the population

(Population as the factor). It is obtained by dividing the total GDP by the population of the

region.

GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population


Gross National Product (GNP) is the market value of all the goods and services produced in

one year by labour and property supplied by the citizens of a country.

GDP GNP

The overall value The value only calculated with the

contribution of local citizens

GNP = GDP – The value which is not contributed by the local citizens

Performance of GDP in Hong Kong (2017)

GDP 340.1 Billion USD

GDP per Capita 46000 USD

GNP 90 Billion USD

GDP Growth 3.7%

Relationship between GDP and Economic Quality of Life

Increase in GDP = Increase in Economic Transactions = People Buy more goods and services

= Business people also produce more goods and services = Good Economy

Increase slowly/constant/Decrease in GDP = Decrease in Economic Transactions = People

buy less goods and services = Business people produce less goods and services = Economy

performance is not ideal


Unemployment and Underemployment Rate

Unemployment Rate is the percentage of the unemployed population in the labour force.

Unemployment Rate = (Unemployed Population / Labour Force) x 100%

Unemployed Population = People who aged 15 or above, available for work, wants to have a

work but does not have one. They have been finding a job.

Labour Force = Aged 15 or above and Willing to Work

E.g. Mary is 18 years old, she is studying in university and doesn’t want to have a work ->

Not in the labour force

Unemployment Rate of Hong Kong in 2017 = 2.9% (Quite Low)

Underemployment Rate (就業不足率) is the proportion of the underemployed in the

labour force.

Underemployed = Population that Involuntarily (非自願地) work less than 35 hours,

implying that the population that work for a small period of time. However, they want to

work for a longer period of time.


The underemployment rate of Hong Kong in 2017 is around 1.1%.

Relationship between Unemployment/Underemployment Rate and Economic Quality of

Life

Poor Economy = Companies tend to employ less workers in periods when economic

conditions are poor = High unemployment rate

Unemployed/underemployed person have no or low income, if they have no/low income, it

will totally affect their living and quality of life so it can also reflect the effects towards

quality of life


Consumer Price Index

Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the changes in the price level of consumer goods and

services bought by general households.

The consumer price measures different prices of things, examples such as Housing, Clothes,

Foods, Transportation, Daily expenses……

Consumer Price Index of Hong Kong in 2017 is 105.6.

When there is a more than 2% growth in consumer price index, then it indicates inflation (通

貨膨脹). When there is a high inflation rate, people will have low purchasing power because

they have to pay more money to buy the same product, their Quality of life will be affected


Real Wage and Nominal Wage

When you work, you will receive salary/wage (工資). That amount of money is called

nominal wage (名義工資), the total value of currency obtained

However, there is inflation in price level in the society (Consumer Price Index). As the price

level increases, you may need to pay more so the wage is no longer fair enough.

So there is a thing called the Real Wage (真實工資) in which the obtained is after

discounting inflation.

Real Wage x Price Level = Nominal Wage (Price Level = 1+Inflation %)

Same growth rate of nominal wage and inflation = Unchanged in real wage

Inflation> Nominal Wage Growth Wage = Decrease in real wage

People will feel they have lower wage because they have lower purchasing power, and that

will decrease the amount of goods and services -> Affecting Quality of Life

Inflation Persistent increase in general price level (Increase in demand but

decrease in supply -> Drive price up)

Deflation Persistent decrease in general price level (Increase in supply but

decrease in demand -> Drive price down)

When the economy is good, salaries of workers increase because there are more economic

activities that need to hire more people to work -> Demand of labour increases.

Good Economy

• Salaries of Workers usually increase • Increase of economic activities • Companies hire more people to work • Demand of Labour increases - Lead to increase salary • Low unemployment rate

Bad Economy • Salaries of Workers usually decrease • Decrease of economic activities • Companies fire people • Demand of Labour Decrease - Fire people, no money to employ

people • High unemployment rate


Poverty

Poverty is the situation in which household/individual does not have enough money to

meet basic needs including food, clothing and shelter.

Poverty in Hong Kong: Population: 960,000 (14.3%)

Since the Hong Kong government has put a lot of aids and subsidies policies on tackling with

poverty, the poor population and poverty rate has start to decrease. It implies that the

poverty situation in Hong Kong turns better.

Poverty affects one person’s quality of life in a huge extent.

From the definition of poverty, it states that individuals do not have money to meet basic

needs. They do not have money to buy for basic needs (material life) and that has already

hugely damages quality of life as they cannot even fulfil their basic needs. If they cannot

fulfil their basic needs, they can hardly fulfil their spiritual needs as they cannot have their

esteem and as stated according to Maslow Hierarchy of Needs, you mostly cannot reach a

higher layer if the lower layer is not met so if you cannot met the physiological need layer,

you hardly reach the higher level.

Poverty Elderlies

Poverty

Intergenerational

Poverty

Working

Poor

M-shaped

Society

N-noughts


Disparity between the Rich and the Poor

Disparity between the rich and the poor is the gap between the rich people/upper class

and the poor people/lower class.

Income Disparity (收入差距) is a situation in which there is an unequal distribution of

income among population. For example, some people can have a higher income (Rich

people) but some people have a lower income (poor people)

Disparity between the rich and the poor does not only reflect the problem of poverty but

also showing the gap and inequality between the rich and the poor. For example, in Africa, it

is obvious that most people in rural areas are poor. However, in Hong Kong, not most

people are poor, there are some people very rich in Hong Kong. People will feel very unfair

that why rich people can have a better life but they can’t, it may cause social instability and

conflicts between different people in the society.

In Hong Kong, the disparity between the rich and the poor is very serious. Hong Kong is a

city with high GDP and GDP per capita, but why there are some people still living under

poverty line?

Disparity between the rich and the poor affects people’s quality of life not only in material

level but also anti-rich sentiment (反有錢人) and leading to social differentiation (社會分

化).


Gini Coefficient

Gini-coefficient is the indicator that measures the disparity in income distribution and the

disparity between the rich and the poor. It indicates the general distribution of income from

households.

If the income among all households are in the same level, the Gini coefficient will be zero.

If all income of society goes to one household in which the income is controlled by that

individual, the gini coefficient will be one.

The value of gini-coefficient is only ranging from 0-1.

Gini Coefficient in Hong Kong

In 2017, the gini coefficient of Hong Kong rises to 0.539

0

Perfect

Equality

1

Perfect

Inequality

0.1 0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6 0.7 0.9 0.8

0.4 is the international alert line, the warning

level. It turns serious when reaching 0.4 or

above. There may be conflicts between

different social strata and instability


Median Income

Median Income is a measurement of income of the unit in the middle of the group. (Median

-> The middle one).

For example: Find the median of the following households:

Households A B C D E F G

Income $3,000 $4,500 $6,000 $7,500 $10,000 $13,000 $20,000

The median which is the middle one (D) is the median income = $7,500

The Poverty Line (貧窮線) is set in the value of half of median income (X 1st Quartile).

The Poverty line is used to measure and analyse the poverty situation in Hong Kong.

Median household income by decile group (按十等分組別劃分入息中位數) is the concept

of all households arranged in ascending order of their monthly income, and then divide

evenly into ten groups. Each group has the same number of households. The first group

represents the lowest 10% and the tenth group represents the highest 10%. In each group,

the median among each group is taken as the result, it can compare and understand the

overall distribution of income in society and the disparity between the rich and the poor.


Economic Transformation

Economic Transformation is the transform and change in the economic base of the society.

Stage 1 - A fishery village (Primary Industry)

Before being the colony of U.K., Hong Kong is a tiny little

village with its traditional economy of fishing, agriculture….

Stage 2 - Entrepot (1841-1950s)

U.K. takes Hong Kong as the colony due to its great victoria

harbour, it has geographical benefits to be an entrepot to do

trading in the world. Therefore, Hong Kong turns from a village

to an entrepot, doing logistics.

Stage 3 - Industrial Society (1950s-1980s)

Hong Kong was being embargo during the Korean War and

there is a huge labour force coming from mainland China

which is beneficial for developing Industrial Factories

Stage 4 - International Financial Centre (1980s-2010s)

Due to China’s reform and opening-up, factories move north to

China and the huge flow of capital and the geographical

advantage in the world make Hong Kong into an international

financial centre

Stage 5 - IT Industry (2010s to now)

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the advancement of

technology make Hong Kong developing IT industry and

artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, STEM education make Hong

Kong turning into IT industry


Externally-oriented Economy

Externally-oriented Economy is an economy which depends heavily on external

trade/external factors

For example: Hong Kong heavily relies on external trade such as China, U.S.A….. if other

countries failed, Hong Kong will also be affected

Hong Kong is a small, open and highly externally-oriented economy. Hong Kong is doing

business and transactions with other places in the world. So the economic situation of other

places in the world can affect the Hong Kong economy.

E.g. US Financial Tsunami in 2008 -> Affect Hong Kong’s economy

China and USA are Hong Kong Economy’s most important trading partner. Their economy

might affect Hong Kong’s economy (E.g. China-USA Trade War)


Knowledge-based Economy

(Talent and) Knowledge-based Economy is a type of economy that is produced mainly by

industries that require knowledge, diploma, academic qualifications

For example: Lawyer, Doctor, Teacher, Accountant, Dentist….. -> They all require knowledge

and academic qualifications

Hong Kong is a knowledge-based economy, people will need to have qualifications and

academic degrees to work in professional careers in Hong Kong such as lawyer, accountant,

businessmen……

Academic Inflation (學歷貶值) is a phenomenon in which there are more degrees provided

such that the academic value has decreased due to more people getting the degree. It has a

huge impact towards Hong Kong’s knowledge-based Economy, more and more people are

allowed to have a degree so the value of degree decreases. Some offensive trades (厭惡性

行業) may not be done by people. But at the same time, the increase in amount of

academic degree also fulfils the demand of Hong Kong’s knowledge-based economy.


4 Pillars and 6 Industries in Hong Kong

The 4 Pillars and 6 Industries are the most important sectors contributing to Hong Kong’s

economy.

The 4 Main Pillars of the Hong Kong Economy

• Tourism 旅遊

• Contributing 5% GDP of Hong Kong, developing Hong Kong as an

international city with many tourist sites and hotels for tourists

• Professional services and other producer services 專業服務及其他工商業支援服務

• Such as teacher, lawyer, doctor, dentists….. These professional services

require academic qualifications

• Financial Services 金融服務

• Hong Kong is an international financial centre in which it is a place for doing

businesses due to it’s market economy

• Trading and Logistics 貿易及物流

• Having an experience of being an entrepot before, Hong Kong has been

capable or developing logistic industries such as the Kwai Tsing Cargo Pier


The 6 Industries of Hong Kong:

• Cultural and Creative Industries

• Advertising, amusement services, architecture, arts, antiques, crafts, cultural

education, library, design, filming, performing arts, TV, radio, publishing…….

• Education services

• Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, tutorial schools, university,

courses…….

• Medical Services

• Private hospitals, clinic, dental, nursing, elderly care, medical products,

medical insurances……

• Environmental Industries

• Sewage and waste management, environmental engineering and

consultancy, import/export and wholescale trading of waste and scrap……

• Innovation and Technology

• Research and development activities undertaken by higher education and

public research institutes, activities that further drive product……

• Testing and certification services

• Technical testing and analysis; cargo inspection; sampling, weighting; medical

and x-ray laboratories……


Minimum Wage

(Statutory) Minimum Wage is a labour policy that to ensure part-time workers have a

minimum salary for their living. Preventing that their salary is being exploited by the boss.

The Minimum Wage (Part-time) for Hong Kong 34.50HKD nowadays.

Before 2011 May 1, there is NO minimum wage in Hong Kong.

Interesting Facts – Labour Holiday (1st May)

May Day (1st May) is also known as the international labour day, it is a holiday for labours

and workings to rest.

And at the same time, all labour policies in Hong Kong will start turning effective on on

after 1st May every year.

Therefore, the changing of the minimum wage turns effective on 1st May.


Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunities is the concept in which all human beings are born equally. No one is

subjected to unair or poorer treatment due to their personal background or identity.

It will be fair for citizens in the society that there are equal opportunities, no one should

suffer from discrimination or inequality.

The government has an effort in protecting people’s equal opportunities.

In Hong Kong, the government has set up the Equal Opportunities Commission (平等機會

委員會) in 1996. It is set up to eliminate discrimination, promote the message of equal

opportunities. Furthermore, to help the public to understand their rights and obligations of

Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination legislation and provide channels for people to compain and

fight against discrimination. Promoting cultural diverisity and equality.

The equal opportunities commission also implement ordinances which guarantee equal

opportunities:

• Race Discrimination Bill

• The Sex Discrimination Ordinance

• The Family Status Discrmination Ordinance

• The Disability Discrimination ordinance


Social Mobility

Social Mobility is the movement of different people within or between social strata in a

society. (社會上不同人士於社會上不同的流動)

[i.e. 可唔可以流動到去一個更好嘅生活水平]

It can be upwards (Moving to a better situation) or downwards (Declining to a worser

situation). Under social mobility, we can measure it in terms of earning mobility, educational

mobility and occupational mobility.

Problem of Lack of Social Mobility

People cannot move upward to a better social status -> People maybe depressed to the

society (人民不能向上流動，對社會感到絕望)

The individual should be able to climb up by themselves base on their effort, education,

working performances instead of birth, socio-economic background, physical conditions.


Earning Mobility

Earning Mobility is the movement of an individual from one income group to another income

group. An ability to improve their economic status. (人工收入流動至不同的收入群組)

[i.e. 可唔可以流動／上升到一個更加高嘅收入群組？]

Earning and Economics (Concept):

Economic Growth -> Increase of Economic Activities -> Increase the size of the overall

economic pie -> Increase salary -> Providing more opportunities for people moving up the

earnings ladder

Indicator:

1. Income, Salary, Wage

2. Price Level, Property Price….

3. Income and Outcome

4. Inflation and Deflation


M-shaped Society

A M-shaped society is a social phenomenon in which there is a decreasing number of middle

class population but an increasing number of the population in the rich class and the poor

class. Implying that the disparity between the rich and the poor turns serious.

Hong Kong has actually turned into a M-shaped society with an increasing number of rich

people and poor number and the decreasing number of the middle class. The middle class

either becomes rich people or due to low social mobility, turning into poor people.

Cross Module (Module 4 – Globalization) – Under globalization, rich become richer and poor

become poorer.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Poor Middle Class Rich

Po

pu

lati

on

Level of Wealth

Before

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Poor Middle Class Rich

Po

pu

lati

on

Level of Wealth

After


Healthcare

Healthcare is the system in which the government provides medical, clinic, dental, health

services to the citizens of the society.

Reference: https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/health/hosp/overview.htm

Healthcare system directly affects our quality of life, if you have a poor health, you cannot

live longer and it damages your quality of life. A better healthcare system will increase our

life expectancy which people can live longer and this improves people’s quality of life.

Cross Module: Module 5 – Public Health

https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/health/hosp/overview.htm


Social Welfare

Social Welfare is a system provided by the government in which there is a provision of a

minimal level of well-being and social support for citizens without current means to support

basic needs.

It is a type of financial aid/subsidy for citizens in poverty, so it can use to help citizens to

support their basic needs and that will improve their quality of life.

The social welfare is largely provided by the government from their tax income, and some

from charity groups……

Examples of Social Welfare in Hong Kong:

• Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme (綜援)

• Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme (公共福利金計劃)

• Old Age Allowance (高齡津貼＠生果金) $1,345/month

• Old Age Living Allowance (長者生活津貼) $2,285/month (2015)

• Community Care Fund

• Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) Scheme


Social Stability

Social stability is the situation in which the society is stable, peaceful. Everybody is in their

own role and paying their own responsibilities. There are less/no conflicts and argument

between different people and strata. The quality of life is great and the society is stable and

peaceful.

However, there might be some factors affecting the social stability. This may cause social

instability (社會不穩定) in which people and the society are not stable and not peaceful,

there may be confrontations (衝突) and conflicts between different people.

Some factors that affect social stability:

• Disparity between the rich and the poor

• The government credibility

• Disaster


Social Cohesion

Social Cohesion is the capacity of a society to attract and integrate its members to realize

specific social functions or achieve certain goals through collective behaviour. To connect

the citizens of the society together.

A good social cohesion can strengthen among different citizens in the society and their

confidence in government policies.

A poor social cohesion may cause social differentiation (社會分化)

Social Inclusion (社會包容) is the act of making all groups of people within a society feel

valued. To include and accept all people living in the society including the poor, the LGBT

group, the ethnic minorities, disabilities…… Accept all their weaknesses and include them

into the society.

Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion will affect quality of life in a certain extent. If the society

can get along well and everybody in the society can have their sense of belonging towards

their ethnic, it can increase cooperation and good social atmosphere and a better quality of

life. However, if there is lack of social inclusion and social cohesion, people with weaknesses

cannot get along with the society, people in the society cannot be connected and it may

cause conflicts and social differentiation, damaging quality of life.


Social Justice and Equality

Social Justice is a concept of fair and just relations between the individual and society. It

consists of diverse values, the protection of personal autonomy, the emphasis of equality

and the transparency of social policies.

Social justice is necessary for maintaining social cohesion. The government must create an

environment of equality to enhance social justice.

Social Equality (平等) is a value of everybody being equal and the same, being equal in

order to achieve equality.

But social justice and equality are different:

Social justice and social equality affect people’s quality of life in a certain extent. It is hard to

balance between equality and justice, both are important values. But justice is more

important than equality.


Rule of Law

Rule of Law is a general concept of using law to restrict the power of the ruler so as to

protect the rights and freedoms of the ruled. The society is ruled by a set of laws and

restrictions, it is not ruled by people. The law judgements are based by laws.

Definition from the United Nations: Rule of Law is a principle of governance in which all

persons, institutions (機構) and entities (實體), public and private, including the state itself,

are accountable (負責任) to laws that are publicly promulgated (頒布), equally enforced (強

制執行) and independently adjudicated (裁決), and which are consistent(一貫) with

international human rights norms and standards. It requires, as well, measures to ensure

adherence(忠誠) to the principles of supremacy (至高無上；最高地位) of law, equality

before the law, accountability to the law, fairness in the application of the law, separation of

powers, participation in decision-making, legal certainty, avoidance of arbitrariness(隨意性)

and procedural (程序) and legal transparency (透明度).

6 Main Principles of the Rule of Law:

• Everyone should know what laws they need to obey

• Laws should be the same for everyone

• We should always use laws, not just our own opinion of what seems right or wrong,

to decide if someone has broken the law

• Judges, the police and members of the government must always use their powers

fairly

• Everyone accused of breaking the law should have a fair trial. They should be treated

as innocent until proved guilty

• Laws should always try to protect our human rights


Law (法律) is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or

governmental institutions to regulate behaviour. It is the highest principle in a society that

upholds the rule of law. No one or authority can override the law, it has the highest

supreme status. Law is under the concept of rule of law, it is used to restrain the power of

the ruler(統治者) and govern the behaviour of the ruled (被統治者). The ruler cannot abuse

its power and amendment of laws must be found on public opinion.

Laws must protect human rights and freedom of the ruled, protect and govern all people in

the society on an equal basis. It upholds social justice, protect rights of ruled and respecting

the values of the ruled.

Equality before the law is very important, everybody no matter you are the chief executive,

the rich people or the poor people should be treated equally. The authorities should carry

out this idea and that the rights and freedoms will be better protected.

Rule by law (以法統治) is the concept that power is not restricted by laws, it only rules with

laws. The society must strictly observe laws but rights and freedoms may not be protected.

Rule of man (人治) is the concept that the power and the ruling is totally free from any

restriction, the ruler can abuse its power and decide everything.

Importance of rule of law to Hong Kong:

• Development of the society, operation of the government and international status

• Set a legal framework and a set of procedures for the pursuit of justice

• Ensure policies have received extensive public consultation before implementation

• Monitor the government

• Establish a fair business environment

Government

enacts the law

People observe

the law

Rights, freedom and

values are being

protected and respected

Rule of Law


Human Rights

Human Rights are the rights inherent to all human beings without distinction of any kind

such as race, sex, colour, religion, language and national origin.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And also, people have

different rights such as political, social, economical rights.

Human rights are very important for human beings and citizens of the society, it stress the

importance of upholding human dignity (尊嚴) and value for everyone.

People in the society will treasure lives, respect freedom and accept differences with

respect for human rights, it will improve their quality of life by leading to social harmony

and stability.

Human rights are under protection of laws such as the Declaration of Human Rights (1948),

different conventions…… Countries that are bound by conventions must ensure the rights

and freedoms of the citizens are being protected.

Human Rights Civil Rights (公民權利)

• Most Fundamental Right - Universal

agree - Human Right Declaration in

1948 after WWII

• Include right to life, right to

education, protection from torture,

free expression, fair trial

• Every place in the world agrees the

right

• Rights enjoy by virtue of citizenship

in a particular nation/state

• Protect citizens from discrimination

and grant certain freedoms

• Thought of as the agreement

between nation/state/individual

citizens that they govern

• Not every place in the world agrees

the right

Human rights are universal but civil rights are not, civil rights are regional.

Exercising civil right can influence the government and improve their policy making and

governance effectiveness - Solve the problem of dictatorship

Restriction for human rights: Rights to freedom can be restricted if a person has been

convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison


Freedom of the Press

Freedom of the Press is the freedom of communication and expression through mediums

including various electronic media and published materials, telling the fact through the

news.

Whenever such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference (干擾) from the power

of the government, its preservation may be done legal protections.

Importance of Press Freedom:

1. Enables the right to know and the right to tell

2. It can prevent the abuse of power with media monitor the government and big

companies, monitoring circumstances

Reasons affecting freedom of press to the media

1. Politically: Government attitude towards media

2. Economically: Actions of some commercial activities

Helps monitor government policy and administration and spot out the unseen problems in

the society to raise awareness of government and general public. - Solve the problem of

dictatorship form of government


Government Performance

Government Performance is the performance and work completed by the government,

indicating the quality of the government.

There is a “3E” indicator that measures the performance of the government, according to

International Experience.

High effectiveness can tackle the key issue and achieve remarkable results, solves the

problem quickly and the government can successfully solve the problem.

High efficiency is the situation that the government achieves greater output than a

government of low eficiency with the same input of resources.

As the government has the power and responsibility to maintain social stability and

implement policies, it has a huge impact towards quality of life. If the government has a

great performance in which there is a high effectiveness, high efficiency and a good

economy, social problems can be solved and that will improve people’s quality of life.

3”E”s

Economy

The resources

allocation and usage,

the economy of the

region

Efficiency

The ratio of resource

input to production

output, use less time

and working fast

Effectiveness

Whether the policy

works and goals are

attained, workable,

effective or not


Cultural Diversity

Cultural Diversity is the quality of diverse or different culture. In a society, there are lots of

culture mixing together producing multi-culture (cultural diversity).

As culture can vary into aspects, cultural diversity can be made up with different items:

• Ethnic Groups

• Food Culture

• Chinese and Western Culture

• Moral and Logics

• Etc.

Hong Kong is a society with cultural diversity:

• Old and New Culture (Old Hong Kong (Colonial Culture) V.S. Modern Culture)

• Eastern and Western Culture (Eastern Culture from China, western culture from the

colonial period of U.K.)

• Ethnic Minorities: South-east Asian, Pakistanis, Parsees, Chinese…….

A rich cultural life can satisfy and increase people’s spiritual quality of life. For example, you

can eat more foods from different places, you can broaden your horizons and enrich

yourself by understanding different culture. And that will improve your quality of life in a

certain extent.


Cultural Inheritance

Cultural Inheritance is the continuation and further development of a culture. It is use to

promote culture to the next generation about the history, culture and that will increase

their sense of belonging to the region.

Hong Kong culture is very unique, it is a diverse between Western and Eastern Culture.

Cultural inheritance is very important, if we can inherit culture, then the future generations

and the citizens can enjoy the culture and broaden their horizons. And that will improve

their spiritual quality of life. If the culture cannot be inherited to future generations, they

will enjoy and experience less culture which they may not be able to improve their spiritual

quality of life.

In Hong Kong, some culture has been inherited quite well:

• Food culture (E.g. Egg Tarts, Dai Pai Dong……)

• Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance

• New Year Festival


Cultural Heritage and Declared Monument

Cultural Heritage (文化遺產) is a thing (architecture/object/other things) that has a period

of history and shows a culture of a region.

Cultural heritage can be different things such as architecture (Western Market), object (Lion

Head), festivities (Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance), food (Egg Tarts), activities (Chinese Opera),

festivals (Tuen Ng Festival)……

Declared Monument (法定古蹟) is listed by Antiquities and Monuments Office (古物古蹟

辦事處), listing out some famous historical and cultural architectures in Hong Kong.

Examples: Western Market, The Cenotaph, Tin Hau Temple, Hong Kong observatory……

Through cultural heritages and declared monument, people can learn more about culture

and history of Hong Kong and it can be one of the spot for their visit in holidays. It can

increase their spiritual quality of life by understanding more about culture and history and

increase their sense of belongings to Hong Kong.


Conservation

Conservation is an act from the government and the people to conserve and protect a

place/heritage/culture. It is a protection of heritages (E.g. monuments, cultures, sites) with

high historical, cultural, ecological, artistic values, preserve their original look and values for

the future generation.

The purpose of conservation is to prevent the disappearance of culture and hoping to

continue the culture by protecting and conserving them. It can use to inherit culture and

enhance social and economic development

Some conservation projects in Hong Kong:

• Shek Kip Mei Estate

• Queen’s Pier

• Lui Seng Chun

Conservation can help protect the heritage, preventing it from disappearance. Without

disappearance of culture, the future generations can also experience and understand more

about Hong Kong culture and that will increase their cultural/spiritual quality of life and

their sense of belongings to Hong Kong.


Urban Renewal and the 4R Strategy

Urban Renewal (市區重建)

• A program on redeveloping the city/place

• Solving urban problems especially for Urban Decay

• Rebuilt and renew the city to turn from old to new

The 4R Strategy for Urban Renewal

Revitalization

活化

• Retain and renew the building for new land use

• Preserve historical linkage

保留及更新用途

E.g. Western Market, Burrows Street

Redevelopment

重建

• Pull down the old buildings and build new ones

拆毀及起新樓

E.g. K11, iHome

Rehabilitation

復修

• Improve the built environment of old buildings

• Reduce the need for immediate redevelopment

改進舊樓

E.g. Urban Renwal Authority Housings

pReservation

保育

• Preserve buildings with historical, cultural and architectural value

• Retain the local color and character of different districts

保留建築物歷史文化價值

E.g. 和昌大押

(Wan Chai Tennant Houses)


Population Density

Population Density is the ratio of how many people to one square kilometre.

The population cannot prove a lot of things, but the area of land to the ratio of the

population can prove how packed the city is.

Calculation for Population Density = Total Population / Area of Land

A high population density = The place is very packed with a lot of people

A low population density = The place is not packed with people

Population of Hong Kong (2018) = 7,436,147

Area of Land in Hong Kong = 1104 km2

Population Density of Hong Kong = 7,436,147 / 1104 = 6735.64 people/km2

Population Density has a huge impact towards Quality of Life. Hong Kong is hilly with limited

flat land. There is only a little land that is suitable for the construction of building. A high

population density implies that people living packed together, living packed together may

cause conflicts, arguments and houses may need to build up and it may cause

environmental impacts towards quality of life.

Kwun Tong is the most densely population district in Hong Kong.


Urbanization

Urbanization is the process of an increase in percentage of urban population. A

phenomenon turning rural area into urban area.

Hong Kong is a highly urbanized city (Experienced a lot on urbanization). Due to the fact that

Hong Kong has lack of land and a high population density, rural areas are required to turn

into urban area to provide more land and for the population needs. More land needs to be

developed due to industrial development (1950s) and residential needs (Nowadays).

New Towns in Hong Kong are developed due to urbanization. Mainly in the New Territories

and Islands such as Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Tung Chung….. These newly developed towns

just developed in around 1980s.

Metropolitanization (全面都市化) is the process in which the whole city needs to be a

metropolis (urbanized). So in old streets and cultural places such as Temple Street, Apliu

Street, they are invaded by large shopping malls and high-rise buildings, these culture and

local characteristics are fading.

Urbanization can improve quality of life in a certain extent, increase more land can fulfil the

population needs. However, high-densed buildings and more people may cause

environmental impacts and Metropolitanization may cause decline of cultural quality of life.


Heat Island Effect

Heat Island Effect is the effect/phenomenon in which there is an increase in the

temperature of the urban areas, there is a higher temperature in urban area than rural area,

making the area into a heat island.

Heat Island is caused by urbanization, high-rise buildings were built due to urbanization and

there are fewer green and water areas. Causing the temperature increases in the region.

Heat Island Effect is usually evident at night and winter, urban buildings absorb heat during

daytime which is then released at night. In this situation, heat cannot be released, and the

urban temperature rises. In rural areas, there are fewer buildings and heat can be released

by the absorption of plants, so the temperature is lower.

In such case, there will be a difference between urban temperature and rural temperature,

it will give to a rise on heat island effect.

Heat Island Effects our quality of life, as the urban temperature increases, it will increase

global warming and living in hot areas may cause public health diseases and affecting

people’s quality of life due to the increasing temperature.


Wall Effect

The Wall Effect is the phenomenon in which light and air ventilation are blocked due to the

group of buildings being built side by side. It is directly caused by the extensive construction

of walled buildings (屏風樓).

Wall effect is mainly caused by the limited land supply in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong has less

land, more buildings need to be built and built packed together. At the same time building

high with more than 35 storey on average. In such case, many high and tall buildings are

concentrated in a district, very packed and caused walled buildings. There is insufficient

distance between buildings and buildings with more than 35 storeys.

Wall effect damages people’s quality of life, it will affect the landscape and brightness of the

district, affect the scenic and spiritual quality of life (E.g. Causeway Bay).

As well, it lead to heat island effect which increases temperature and it worsen air pollution.

Different diseases may caused due to poor air quality such as asthma, respiratory diseases…

Six Main Indicators of Walled Buildings:

• Insufficient distance between buildings

• Buildings with more than 35 storeys

• Buildings arranged almost linearly

• Buildings located at a site of significance (E.g. Harbour)

• The broader side of the building being exposed to the prevailing wind

• The presence of short buildings nearby


Usurpation of Public Space

Usurpation of Public Space is the situation which public spaces have been occupied or

cancelled for other purpose, causing lesser public spaces for citizens to enjoy.

Public Space (公共空間) is a place/area that the general public has the right to access

without paying any fees.

Public spaces include parks, open grounds, streets, governmental buildings.….. It can be

accessed universally no matter you sex, age, nationality…….

Public spaces can let the public rest, gather and develop local culture. Enhancing social

cohesion (社會凝聚力)

In Hong Kong, the government has auctioned a large amount of open spaces to private

contractors for commercial purposes. So the public space become privatized (私有化), there

are less public spaces for the public. The privatized spaces such as shopping mall may

restrict people gathering inside or taking photographs, it affects citizen’s freedom and

affects their quality of life.

Furthermore, usurpation of public spaces takes away public spaces, there are less places for

people to rest, gather and develop local culture such as street performances. In such case, it

will affect people’s quality of life in a certain extent.

Example: Time Square (Causeway Bay)


Pollution

Pollution is a major concern in Hong Kong, it affects people’s quality of life in a certain

extent.

Common Types of Pollutions:

• Noise Pollution (Traffic Noise, Construction Noise), it can be measured by sound level

(dB)

• Land Pollution (Municipal Solid Waste 都市固體廢物, construction and chemical

waste, it can be measured by total volume of municipal solid waste. The solid waste

disposal policy has reduced solid waste in Hong Kong)

• Water Pollution (Beach, sea, river water pollution, it can be measured by water

quality, benchmarks…... Water pollution in Hong Kong is quite serious)

• Air pollution (Gas polluted by vehicles, smog, factories……. It can be measured by the

general air pollution index API and roadside API

• Light Pollution (Pollution caused by light and reflection of light beam) [2014 DSE

Paper 2 Question 3]

Pollution will damage quality of life in a certain extent. Different pollutions will pollute

harmful substances which will affect people’s health such as carbon dioxide…… leading to

some diseases and affect people’s life expectancy and that will damage people’s quality of

life.


Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development is the concept of how to continue and sustain the society.

• Wise use of (the limited) resources

• Meet the needs of present and future generations

• Improve people’s quality of life without exceeding the limitation of resources

Sustainable Development = Balance of Social Aspect + Economic Aspect + Environmental

Aspect

Environment (環境)

• The nature, natural atmosphere

• Biodiversity, green life

Society (社會)

• Human living and contact with each other

• Community

Economy (經濟)

• The development of a society

• Market and business • Resources distribution

Sustainable Development will improve people’s quality of life in a certain extent. As the

society can sustain and continue, the future generations can be able to survive so it has

already directly guaranteed the basic quality of life. As well, a good economy, stable society

and green environment can also increase people’s quality of life.

Cross Module: Module 6 – Energy, Technology and the Environment


Nature Conservation Policy

Nature conservation policy are policies in Hong Kong to protect the environment and

improve environmental quality. Conservation is required for protection. It is a way of

utilizing the environment based on the principle of maintaining biodiversity and preserving

natural resources

Aim of Hong Kong’s nature conservation policy is to regulate, protect and manage natural

resources that are important for the conservation of biological diversity of Hong Kong in a

sustainable manner, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of

the community.

There are 12 priority sites in Hong Kong for enhanced conservation in its nature

conservation policy. This policy is designated for country parks, special, marine parks,

coastal protection areas, conservation areas……

Nature conservation policy affects people’s quality of life, it can protect the environment

and biodiversity, leading to sustainable development and improves people’s quality of life.

People can be able to visit but not to damage these natural sites.


Factors affecting the decision of ranking of Quality of Life

In our life, we need to make decisions (Opportunity Cost). We need to rank the priority for

decision making to maintain Hong Kong citizen’s quality of life. For example:

The government is planning the land-use of the Fanling Golf Club:

1st Priority: Build Public Housing

2nd Priority: Build a commercial district

3rd Priority: Remain the recreational purpose

In the above case, what is the opportunity cost of building public housing in Fanling Golf

Club? ______________________________________________________________________

According to the rule of economics, the first priority is the option that we valued the most.

However, the cost for option forgone also needs to be paid such as if we build public

houses, where can the rich people play golf?

Here are some of the common factors that affect the decision of options of the government:

❖ Public Concern

▪ Some people may concern and care about something. (E.g. environmental

sectors concern environmental issues, economic sector concerns about the

market). Different social issues emerge at different time. Some people may

concern the environment more but some people may concern housing more.

❖ Consideration of Costs and Benefits

▪ Majorly considering the financial of the issue. Are there enough resources to

carry out the plan? Are there economic benefits gained from this plan?

Benefits can be separated into short-term benefits and long-term benefits.

The government is responsible to carefully consider the advantages and

disadvantages of carrying out the plan by consideration of costs and benefits

and it might affect government’s decision.


❖ Socio-political Participation

▪ In Hong Kong, there are protests, strikes…… different types of socio-political

participation which it’s purpose from the citizens is to stress and request on

an issue. People will express their demands during these socio-political

participations. For example, people strike to cancel P.3 TSA, increase

salary…… Due to this socio-political participation, people express their

demands and needs and it might affect government’s decision.

❖ Resources Allocation

▪ In each year February, there is a financial budget plan (財政預算案). It will

state the plan of the resources allocation, how much money distributed in a

certain area. Therefore, the resources allocation from the government will

affect it’s decision making.


Obstacles for maintaining Quality of Life

We need different resources to implement policies that can improve our quality of life.

Resources are needed to be mobilized for implementing and execute policies. If there are

enough resources, the policy can cover more aspect and benefit more people that can

improve more in quality of life.

Resources are the main obstacles for maintaining quality of life, where can we get the

resources?

• Natural Resources

• Land for supply, energy resources, raw materials, foods, geographical location,

import and exports……

• Human Resources

• Humans, peoples, government, labour force, human resources, population and

structure……

• Financial Resources

• Money, revenues, reserves, taxation, cash liquidity, economy……

Technology is also one of the obstacles in maintaining quality of life.

Technology can improve people’s quality of life, for example entertainment, medical

technology, agriculture, commercial, communication……

However, Hong Kong’s technology level is lagging behind comparing to other countries such

as Singapore, South Korea…… The poor technology level becomes one of the obstacles in

maintaining quality of life.


Resources and Mobilization of Resources

Resources (資源) is a source or supply from which a benefit is produced. There are different

kinds of resources such as financial resources, natural resources, human resources ……

We need different resources to implement policies that can improve our quality of life.

Resources are needed to be mobilized for implementing and execute policies. If there are

enough resources, the policy can cover more aspect and benefit more people that can

improve more in quality of life.

The 3 Major Type of Resources:

• Natural Resources

• Land for supply, energy resources, raw materials, foods, geographical location,

import and exports……

• Human Resources

• Humans, peoples, government, labour force, human resources, population and

structure……

• Financial Resources

• Money, revenues, reserves, taxation, cash liquidity, economy……


Evaluation of Hong Kong’s Quality of Life

According to CUHK Quality of Life Index

The economic performance of Hong Kong has sharply declined from 21.74 in 2002 to 12.67

in 2017 for around 41.7%

Reasons for decline:

➢ Unaffordability of housing

➢ High rental index

➢ Increase in unemployment rate


The social performance of hong kong has increase gradually from 26.09 in 2002 to 28.85 in

2017 which has increased for 10.6%.

Reasons for a better social performance:

• Decrease in overall crime rate

• Increase in enrolment rate for academic programmes

• Improve in government performance


The cultural performance of Hong Kong has increased gradually from 13.04 in 2002 to 17.32

in 2017 which increased for 32.8%

Reasons for a better cultural and leisure performance:

• Increase in recreational and sports activities participation

• Improve in overseas travel times


The environmental performance of Hong Kong has gradually improved from 17.39 in 2002

to 21.48 in 2017 which has increased for 23.5%.

Reasons of improve in environmental quality of life:

• Better water quality

• Less noise


Hong Kong Today - Basic Facts of Hong Kong

• Full Name: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR - 香港特別行政區)

• China - People’s Republic of China (中華人民共和國)

• Population: Around 7,400,000

• Area of Land: 1,106.34 sq. km

• Official Language: Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), English

• Ethnic Majority: Ethnic Chinese (93.6%)

• Religion: Freedom of Religion

• Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

• Human Development Index (HDI): 0.917 (Ranked 12th in the whole world)

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $320,900,000,000 USD

• Chief Executive: Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor

• Chief Secretary for Administration (政務司司長): Matthew Cheung Kin-chung (張建

宗)

• Financial Secretary (財政司司長): Paul Chan Mo-po (陳茂波)

• Secretary of Justice (律政司司長): Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah (鄭若驊)

• Economy of Hong Kong: Market/Mixed Economy, Externally-oriented economy

• Major Industry in Hong Kong: (Tertiary and Service Industry) Finance, Professional

Services, Logistics, IT, Tourism

• Handover of soverignity of Hong Kong - 1997 July 1st


Hong Kong Flag

• Red in color -> Chinese celebration

• Bauhinia -> Symbolism of soverignity

of Hong Kong

• 5 stars in the bauhinia ->

Representing the 5 stars shown on

the China Flag

China Flag

• Red in color -> Revolution

• Big Star -> The Communist Party (共

產黨)

• Remaining 4 stars -> Working Class

(工人階級), Peasentry (農民階級),

Urban Petite Bourgeoisie (城市小資

產階級), National Bourgeoisie (民族

資產階級)

Relationship between Hong Kong and China

• According to Article 1, The Hong Kong

Special Administrative Region is an

inalienable part of the People's Republic

of China. (香港特別行政區是中華人民共

和國不可分離的部分。)

• In terms of geography, Hong Kong is one

part of China

• In terms of history, Hong Kong is a part of

the Chinese History


Hong Kong History and Development

• 1841.1.26 - Hong Kong Island was being invaded by the United Kingdom

• 1842.8.29 - The Qing Government signed the Treaty of Nanjing (南京條約) with the

British Empire, agreeing to cede Hong Kong Island to the United Kingdom

• 1843-1844 - Henry Pottinger (砵甸乍)became the first governor of Hong Kong

• Hong Kong turns in major economic pie form primary industry to entrepot and

logistics

• 1860.10.18 - The Qing Government signed the Convention of Beijing (北京條約) that

ceded Kowloon Peninsula (九龍半島) to the United Kingdom

• 1862 - The first gas company is established in Hong Kong (Towngas) 煤氣公司

• 1870s - The first hospital is established in Hong Kong from Tung Wah Hospital (東華

三院)

• 1890 - The first electric company is established in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Electric

Company 港燈)

• 1894 - The Third Pandemic of Bubonic Plague (鼠疫) broke out in Hong Kong (Tai

Ping Shan)

• 1898.7.1 - The Qing Government signed the Convention for the extension of Hong

Kong Territory (展拓香港界址專條), leased the New Territories to the United

Kingdom for 99 years

• 1911 - The Hong Kong University (HKU 香港大學) is established

• 1911 - Xinhai Revolution (辛亥革命) broke out in China, it turns to the Republic of

China (中華民國)

• 1925-1926 - Canton-Hong Kong Strike (省港大罷工)

• 1937.7.7 - Marco Polo Bridge Incident (七七盧溝橋事變), WWII (Asia) broke out

• 1941.12.25 - Hong Kong was invaded by Japan for 3 years and 8 months (日治香港)

• 1945.8.15 - Japan surrendered and Hong Kong’s soverignity went back to the United

Kingdom

• 1946-1949 - Civil War of China (國共內戰) broke out

• 1949.10.1 - The People’s Republic of China (中華人民共和國) was established in

Beijing, China

• 1950s - The Industrial Society arise in Hong Kong, developing different factories and

secondary industry

• 1958-1962 - China’s Great Leap Forward lead to hunger (大躍進，大飢荒)


• 1960s - Secondary Industry continue to be wisely developed in Hong Kong

• 1966-1976 - The Cultural Revolution (文化大革命) broke out in China

• 1967.5 - 1967.12 - Hong Kong 1967 Leftist Riot broke out (六七暴動)

• 1968 - Hong Kong Flu (H3N2) broke out

• 1974.2.15 - Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC 廉政公署) was

established

• 1978 - Deng Xiaoping proposed China’s reform and opening-up (中國改革開

放),factories move to China, Hong Kong changes to be International Financial Centre

• 1982-1984 - Margaret Thatcher(戴卓爾夫人) discussed with the PRC government for

Hong Kong’s future development after the handover in 1997 (香港前途問題)

• 1984.12.19 - Margaret Thatcher and Zhao Zi-yang signed the Sino-British Joint

Declaration (中英聯合聲明), confirmed that New Territories and Kowloon Peninsula

+ Hong Kong Island will be all handovered back to China in 1997.7.1.

• 1987.10 - Stock Market Crash in Hong Kong (八七股災)

• 1989.6.4 - Tiananmen Square Protests broke out in Beijing, China (六四事件)

• 1990.9.4 - The Basic Law was formally promulgated (頒佈基本法) by the NPC,

together with the designs for the flag and emblem of the HKSAR.

• 1992 - The last governor of Hong Kong - Chris Patten (彭定康), proposed the political

reform resolution (政改方案)

• 1994 - The legislative council passed with Chris Patten’s political reform resolution

but it is disagreed by the Chinese government. At last, the resolution is being

rejected

• 1997.6.30 - The handover ceremony of Hong Kong sovereignty is held in the Hong

Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (香港主權移交)

• 1997.7.1 - China resumed the the sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United

Kingdom, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特別行政區) of the the

People’s Republic of China was established.

• 1997-1998 - Asian Financial Crisis broke out (亞洲金融風暴)

• 1998.7.6 - The Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok was built

• 1999.6 - The First Interpretation of Law from the Chinese Government (人大第一次

釋法)

• 2001 - China joined World Trade Organization (WTO)


• 2002 - Tung Chee-hwa (董建華) was elected to be continue being the Chief

Executive

• 2003.2-2003.5 - SARS (沙士) broke out in Hong Kong

• 2003.6.29 - China and Hong Kong signed CEPA

• 2003.7.1 - More than 500,000 people joined the 7.1 Protest

• 2005.6.21 - Donald Tsang (曾蔭權) became the Chief Executive of Hong Kong

• 2005.9.12 - Hong Kong Disneyland was built

• 2006 - Demolition of Star Ferry Pier (拆毀天星碼頭（皇后像碼頭）

• 2008 - Financial Tsunami broke out in the U.S. (金融海嘯)

• 2009 - Flu Pandemic (H1N1) broke out in Hong Kong

• 2010 - Electoral Reform (政改方案)

• 2012.7.1 - 4th chief executive election, CY Leung was elected to be the chief

executive

• 2012.10.1 - Lamma Ferry Collision

• 2014 - The Umbrella Revolution, Occupying Central

• 2015 - Drinking Water Contamination (鉛水事件)

• 2016.2.8 - Mongkok Civil Unrest (旺角暴動)

• 2016 - Legislator oath-taking controversy + explanation of law by PRC (立法會宣誓

風波)

• 2017.7.1 - 5th chief executive election, Carrie Lam was elected to be the Chief

Executive, 20th anniversary for Hong Kong returning back to China

• 2018.2.10 - Tai Po Bus Accident

• 2018 - The Public Consultation for land supply starts (土地大辯論)


Economy of Hong Kong Today (1997-2018) Hong Kong’s GDP Performance from 1997 to 2018

Time (Period)

Event Performance

1997 Hong Kong soverignity return back to China -

1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis broke out in Thailand and affect the currency of Asia including HK

•

1999 “85000 housing policy” causing decrease in housing price •

2001 911 Attack in the U.S., affecting the global economy •

2001 Dec. China enters WTO (World Trade Organization) •

2003 SARS epidemic break out in Hong Kong •

2003 China and Hong Kong signed CEPA •

2008 Global Financial Tsunami occured in the U.S. affecting the global economy

•

2008-2018 Hong Kong Economy turns stable, competing with other markets and countries (E.g. Singapore)

•


Geographical Characteristics of Hong Kong

Total Area of Hong Kong: 2755 km2

Total Land Area of Hong Kong: 1106 km2

Total Water Area of Hong Kong: 1649km2

Total Population (Estimated 2017): 7,409,800

From the above information, calculate the

population density of Hong Kong:

_____________________________________

From the contour map, what can you

conclude about the geographical

characteristics of Hong Kong?

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

What are the

geographical benefits of

Hong Kong in the world?

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________


百搭論點－香港地理特徵－香港土地問題 (Geographical Characteristics of HK)

• Hong Kong is a city with many hills but less land (山多平地少)

Evidence: More than 75% are rural areas (non-built-up land)

• Around 60% of land in Hong Kong cannot be developed/exploited

• There are only 4.6% -> Implying that Hong Kong is not favourable for primary

industry

• Vegetated Area cover about 78% of the land area of Hong Kong

• Only less than 7% of land in Hong Kong are residential land use

• Only 2.3% of land in Hong Kong are Open-spaces, it reflects there are not enough

open spaces in Hong Kong

• The Population Density of Hong Kong is very high as it has less land but a huge

population


Common Issues in Hong Kong related to Quality of Life

Issue Major Aspect

Poverty Economic, Social

Increasing land supply Economic, Social, Political, Cultural,

Environmental

Health, hospital and medical expenses Economic, Social

Tomorrow Lantau Economic, Social, Environmental

Housing Problem Economic, Social

Local Traditional Industries Economic, Cultural

Aging Population Economic, Social

Education Social

Individual Visit Scheme Economic, Social, Cultural

Infrastructure Project Economic, Social, Environmental

Human Rights and Equality Political, Social

Pollution Problems Social, Environmental

Sports Development Social, Cultural

Using countryside park Environmental, Economic

Government efficiency Political

Transportation Environmental, Social

Energy Policy Economic, Social, Environmental


Skill – Questions related to Quality of Life

Past Examination Records of Questions that are DIRERTLY related to quality of life:

Year Paper No. Question Marks

2013 2 3a How may sustainable development help to improve

people’s quality of life in China? Explain your answer.

8

2014 1 1c “Expressing demands through processions and

demonstrations helps to improve the quality of life of


this view? Explain your answer with reference to the

sources and your own knowledge.

8

2014 2 3a Evaluate the impact of night lighting on the quality of

life of Hong Kong people. Justify your answer.

10

2015 2 2b Source A claims that “standard working hours is

essential to the improvement of the quality of life of


this claim? Explain your answer.

12

2016 1 1c “Urban farming will improve the quality of life of

people in Hong Kong.” Explain how the sources support

this claim.

8

2017 1 3a Based on the source, compare the levels of happiness

in Singapore and Hong Kong, and compare the patterns

of satisfaction with quality of life in these two places.

5

2017 1 3b Based on the source, explain which two dimensions of

quality of life in Hong Kong should be given priority for

enhancement in order to raise the level of happiness in

Hong Kong. For each dimension you have mentioned,

suggest and explain one way by which the satisfaction

with quality of life in that dimension could be enhanced

in Hong Kong.

8


2017 2 3a In what ways might the modernisation of traditional

wet markets as described in the source improve the

quality of life of people in Hong Kong? Explain your

answer.

8

2018 2 3a Explain the possible impact of the spread of

antimicrobial resistance on quality of life.

8

What can you observe from the past examination records about questions directly related

to quality of life?

• Usually carries 8 marks or more -> High mark value question

• Usually appears in paper 2 but also in paper 1

• It appears directly almost every year except 2012

Skill observed – How will these questions usually be tested as shown from the past

examination records?

• Explain how…..lead to……

• To what extent do you agree/disagree

• Impact

• How the sources support the view

• Trend Description

• Raise Suggestions

Common question asking type of direct asking of quality of life:

• …..improve the quality of life of…..

• Evaluate/explain the possible impacts of quality of life

• Dimensions of quality of life

***Quality of life question is very essential, 連直接問法每年都考，可見 quality of life is

very very very important!!!***


LS Hub will divine the question type into the following:

Paper 1 (Data-response Question)

Mark Value Value Type

0-3 Usually there are NO 0-3 marks questions in LS and it hasn’t

appear before in DSE past records

4-5 (5 or below) Low-mark Value Question

6-7 Medium-mark Value Question

8 or above High-mark Value Question

Paper 2 (Extended-response Question)

Mark Value Value Type

8 Low-mark value question

10 Medium-mark value question

12 High-mark value question

**In different papers, different mark value type question, we have different handling

methods

Quality of Life Question – Paper 1 High-mark value Question

Paper 1 High-mark value Question -> Consists of 8 or more marks

For 8 or more marks question, your essay should have an introduction, body and a

conclusion. For introduction, body and conclusion, you should mention about quality of life


In each main point about Quality of Life:

Steps:

1. Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly,

2. The ______(viewpoint)_______ will ___(affect)___ ____(aspect)___ of quality of life.

3. General Description

4. State the view point

5. Explain how the view point with affect quality of life

6. Raise examples

7. Match the example with your view point and quality of life

8. Conclusion

Framework

Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly, ______(Viewpoint)______ will _____(affect)_____

____(aspect)____ quality of life. ____________ (General Description@Conceptualization)

__________. ______(View point)______ will lead to ________(connector x2-5)_______

and it will _____(affect)_____ _____(aspect)_____ quality of life. For example,

_______(raise actual examples)_______. From that, it will ______(affect)_____

_____(aspect)____ quality of life by _______(Match example with view point and quality

of life)_______. Therefore/In conclusion, ______(issue)______ will _____(affect)_____

____(aspect)____ quality of life.

Topic Sentence

• Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly (標示語), _______(Viewpoint)______ will

______(affect)_____ ________(aspect)_____ quality of life.

_____(affect)_____ _____(aspect)_____

Quality of Life

Improve

Damage

Affect

Have a positive impact

Have a negative impact

Social

Economical

Environmental

Political

Cultural


A general description

[ XXX will lead to/affect ________(aspect)______ quality of life]

E.g. Unemployment will damage economic quality of life.

The two-child policy will affect social quality of life in a certain extent.

Air pollution will damage environmental quality of life.

Increase in government credibility will improve political quality of life.

State the narrowed view point.

Second Part – Explain how the view point affect quality of life

______(Viewpoint)______ is the situation of ________(conceptualization of view point –

define)______. Then will _____(next)______, and that will _______(next)________ such

that will _____(next)______ and finally affecting people’s quality of life by affecting them

in terms of (e.g. health) ______(how affect health)______.

Use 2-5 connectors to connect how the viewpoint will affect quality of life, the process

requires detailed explanation.

E.g. Explain how lack of housing affect quality of life.

Lack of housing means that there are not enough housing for people to live

(conceptualization + cause), then people may not be available to live in houses (connector),

no houses means that they may need to live in the streets (connector) such that it will affect

their quality of life in terms of mental life, as they will most likely have low self-esteem

(Causation (Leading to….)) and it will damage their spiritual quality of life.

Key Framework

1. Fact

2. Connection

3. Quality of Life


Raising Examples

Your examples should be:

• Relevant

• Explanatory

• Related and affected to Quality of Life

• Relate to the situation of the question

• Happens in Hong Kong (If applicable)

Apart from only raising examples, you should also connect between your example and

quality of life, link the relationship between them up.

Matching Examples to Quality of Life

• Match the example and connect the relationship with Quality of Life

• Match the example with your written point

Matching to Quality of Life by using the Quality of Life Framework

Conceptualization – Quality of Life

• Individuals’ level of satisfaction in relation to the different aspects of their lives

• People’s satisfaction towards material life and spiritual life

• General well being of individuals and society

Conclusion

From the above, you can see that ______(view point)_____ will _____(affect)_____

_____(aspect)_______ quality of life.

Basically, restate topic sentence and with respect to the relations to quality of life


Structure of Quality of Life Essay Point

Remarks: If the mark value is 8 or above, you should include an introduction and a

conclusion. If the mark value is below 8, it is not necessary.

The following is an 8-mark essay structure.

(SHORT INTRODUCTION)

Firstly, ______(Viewpoint)______ will _____(affect)_____








Secondly, ______(Viewpoint)______ will _____(affect)_____








Thirdly, ______(Viewpoint)______ will _____(affect)_____ ____(aspect)____

quality of life. ____________ (General Description@Conceptualization) __________.

______(View point)______ will lead to ________(connector x2-5)_______ and it will

_____(affect)_____ _____(aspect)_____ quality of life. For example, _______(raise actual


examples)_______. From that, it will ______(affect)_____ _____(aspect)____ quality of

life by _______(Match example with view point and quality of life)_______. Therefore/In

conclusion, ______(issue)______ will _____(affect)_____ ____(aspect)____ quality of life.

In conclusion, __________(issue)_________ of __________(viewpoint

1)__________, _________(viewpoint 2)___________, _________(viewpoint

3)___________ are factors/impacts/others ______(affecting)__________ quality of life.

Paragraph Structure (8 marks or above)

Paragraph 1 Introduction

Paragraph 2 Conceptualization – Defining “Quality of Life” and the

background of the issue

Paragraph 3 Viewpoint 1


Paragraph 5 Viewpoint 3 (If need more viewpoints, add more paragraph)

Paragraph 6 Conclusion

Paragraph Structure (8 marks below)

Paragraph 1 Conceptualization – Defining “Quality of Life” and the

background of the issue




Achieving 5** - Variety of Aspects

As quality of life covers a lot of aspects, your aspects of viewpoints should cover different

variety. You should not only cover a single type of variety, you should cover different types

of varieties to prove your multi-angle thinking.

First Type of Aspect: Social/Economical/Political/Cultural/Environmental (社經政文環)

Second Type of Aspect: Material V.S. Spiritual, Objective V.S. Subjective


Type I Type II Type III

Quality of Life

Social

Economical

Political

Cultural

Environmental

Material

Spiritual

Subjective

Objective

For example, your essay can write the following view points:

1. Economic + Material Quality of Life ($$)

2. Political + Spiritual Quality of Life (Socio-political Participation)

3. Environmental + Objective Quality of Life (Air pollution index)

State the impacts of housing problem:

1. Economic + Material Quality of Life (Government Expenses)

2. Social + Spiritual Quality of Life (Affecting personal self-esteem)

3. Environmental + Objective Quality of Life (Wall effect due to high-densed buildings)

From the above, you can see all the viewpoints are coming from different aspects and types,

this can show your wide variety.

Try this, state the factors leading to lack of social mobility:

1.__________________________________________

2.__________________________________________

3.__________________________________________

Apart from the above type, you can also think about stakeholders and areas:

• Individual Aspect

• Social Aspect

• Hong Kong

• China

• Global Situation (Globalization)


Achieving 5**

Content

❖ 6-7 marks questions, you should include at least 2 viewpoints/arguments



❖ 12 marks questions, you should include at least 5 viewpoints/arguments

❖ Huge variety aspects of quality of life is required, you should include different

types and aspects of quality of life

❖ In-depth explanation and elaboration

❖ 1. Clear Topic Sentence

❖ 2. Explanation

❖ 3. Raise examples as evidence

❖ 4. Connect your explanation and examples to quality of life

Conceptualization

❖ Define Quality of Life

❖ Define and briefly introduce Issue Background

❖ Use types/aspects of quality of life to conceptualize your viewpoint

❖ Use terms/a singular sentence to conceptualize your arguments

Structure

❖ 8 marks or above questions, you should include an introduction and a conclusion

to state/restate your point of view

❖ Separate into paragraphs, clear structure and coherence

❖ Use connectives, labelling words (Firstly, secondly……), coherent English language


Example Practice of Connecting Points with Quality of Life

Relationship between Quality of Life and the Third Runway

Economical

Economical

• Brings huge economic benefits • Economic Net Present Value (ENPV) increases from $591

billion to $1046 billion and that will increase economic activities and GDP of Hong Kong such that it increases economic quality of life

• More tourists are allowed to reach Hong Kong and it will lead to a rise in tourism industry, increase tourism economic activities (e.g. Hotels, catering) + Airport construction fee also costing tourists, increase the development of the tourism industry and economic quality of life

• Increase employment opportunities • Create 123,000 direct jobs and 165,000 indirect/induced

jobs, as well 139000 constructions jobs. A total of 427,000 employment opportunities. People can be employed and maintaining low unemployment rate, increasing economic quality of life

• Better economic development in logistic and transportation industries

• Reduce the capacity of the current two runways and it’s

saturation (飽和).

• Increase number of flights that can be handled • Increase passenger and cargo traffic capacity • Enhance Hong Kong’s logistic capacity, boost

development of logistics industry in Hong Kong, increase economic quality of life

• Maintain economic competitiveness • As the airport is challenged by Singapore, Shenzhen,

increase in capacity and sustain the development and maintain long-term economic competitiveness

• Construction Cost is huge • The construction cost is around $141 billion • Airport construction fee is required on each departing

citizen/tourist, increase burden on citizens and negative impression to tourists, decrease money and decrease material (economic) quality of life

•


• Frequent delays and overruns • Quite common in Hong Kong, large infrastructure projects

have frequent delays and overrun in money • Drain government financial resources that can be

allocated in other expenses such as social welfare -> Worsen expenses (economic) and quality of life

• Low cost-effectiveness (成本效益)

• Different stakeholders challenged the cost-effectiveness of the third runway

• By calculating and involving the opportunity cost, the third runway has low cost-effectiveness

• By comparing with the third runway in Guangzhou Airport, it’s capacity only increases 15% which is lower than expectation of 50%, challenges it’s cost-effectiveness

• Low cost-effectiveness, worsen economic quality of life

Social • Development of different workers • Developing 78% skillful workers, workers can be trained

to be skilled and that lead to the upward of social mobility and that also increases in social quality of life

• A 22% non-skillful workers employment opportunities can help citizens with lower education level to get a decent income, increases their social (material) quality of life

• Better Transportation Network • Tourists and citizens can easily access to the airport • Developing a better transportation network,

tourist/citizens can have more opportunities to travel, increase social quality of life

• Social Discontent/Social Instability • Many citizens think that the government should focus on

tackling other major urban problems in Hong Kong such as housing, social welfare, poverty…. Should not waste money on these large infrastructures

• These large-scale projects are often being criticized as

“White Elephant Projects” 大白象工程, it is useless and

waste a huge amount of money, people feel discontent with the society and lead to social discontent which decreases social quality of life

•

Environmental • A green airport plan •


• Carbon and energy reduction, water conservation, air quality -> Less air/water pollution

• Waste management, green building design, makes environment better

• Looks environmental friendly, it is a green airport, increases environmental quality of life

• Good Reclamation Method • DCM Method of Reclamation used sustainable method to

increase the stiffness of the mud and allows and stable foundation

• More stable structure for a build of aurport, can be used for long-term

• Using the infrastructure for a long-term is environmentally sustainable and increase quality of life

• Minimizing Environmental Impacts • The Green Airport Plan minimizes environmental impacts • Limitation of traffic to control air pollution • Restricting speed to control emission of gas • Reduce Air Emissions by banning idling vehicles engines

on the airside…… • Reduce aircraft noice under 3Rs operation, reduce the

noise pollution • Reducing pollution impact increases environmental

quality of life

• Impacts of pollution • Air pollution from more and more flights (i.e. 4% Carbon

dioxide…..) as the third runway was built, enhanced the greenhouse effect. Air quality turns back and it affects the environmental quality of life.

• Reclamation of the project takes up an extremely large footprint and will seriously worsen air pollution, affect environmental quality of life

• Light pollution, the new runway requires to build more aircraft traffic lights, enhanced light pollution

• Sound pollution, the new runway makes more and more flight arriving to Hong Kong, more landing of aircraft creates more sound pollution and it damages environmental quality of life

• Impacts to the nature • Reclamation causes water pollution and it is affecting the

marine habitat • Affecting the lives of the Chinese White Dolphins


• It has a great damage to the marine ecology of the Chinese White Dolphins

• Chinese white dolphins are endangered species and they may extinct.

• Waste and misuse of resources • A large amount of resources were used to promote the

need for the third runway

Stakeholders involved in the construction/consultation of the Third Runway

The Public / Local Citizens

The Public have different views towards the construction: • Citizens living in Lantau may suffer from different pollution,

affect their quality of living. Less marine area affect their beautiful scenic of the coast

• Local citizens that always travel out of town maybe beneficial as there are more flights. More flights may decrease the price of air tickets and that is beneficial for citizens travelling to outer places

• The Airport construction fee increases financial burden for travel

Government The Government supports the construction of the Third Runway

• The government hopes to complete the transportation network and solve the pressure of the current two runway system

• The government hopes the third runway to raise the competitiveness of Hong Kong

• The government hopes the third runway and the airport to support the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge

Airport Authority The Airport Authority supports the construction of the Third Runway

• The airport hopes the third runway to solve the current pressure and the capacity of the two runways

• The airport hopes the third runway to raise the competitiveness among all other airports in Asia

Environmental Organizations

The Environmental Organization opposes the constructions of the third runway

• The construction of the third runway lead to different pollutions that harm the environment such as air pollution, light pollution, sound pollution

• The construction of the third runway and reclamation of land for the runway affect the habitat of the Chinese White Dolphins that may cause them extinct and harm to the marine habitat


Citizens living in Lantau

The Citizens living in Lantau have different views towards the construction of the third runway

• If citizens or new employees of the third runway live in Lantau, then they can easily access to their working location which is socially sustainable

• The reclamation lead to air, light, sound pollution that affect the quality of living of citizens in Lantau

• The reclamation of the third runway affect the marine scenic and there may be less open and coastal area for citizens to enjoy

Business Sectors The Business Sectors generally support the construction of the third runway

• Airline companies support the third runway as it will lead to more demand of flights that can increase and expand their aviation business

• Reclamation and construction lead to the employment and business for the construction business sectors

A to B Relationship

You have to know how to connect the relationship from the original point to quality of life:

A

(Point) Quality of Life


Example Practice 1 – Connecting Points with Quality of Life

Characteristics of Housing Problems Characteristics of Quality of Life

• Lack of land in Hong Kong, land of

housing where people don’t have a

shelter -> Queue for public housing

is long

• High land price, private flats are

very expensive, hardly affordable

• Small living area

• Individuals’ level of satisfaction in

relation to the different aspects of

their lives

• People’s satisfaction towards

material life and spiritual life

• General well being of individuals

and society

Stakeholder 1:

Government

We need to search for small places and use methods to increase

land supply such as reclamation

Stakeholder 2:

People waiting for

public housing

Quick! We want to get into public housing as fast as possible

Stakeholder 3:

Business sectors

We can drive up the housing price in hong kong in order to earn

more profit

Aspect 1:

Social and material

People waiting for long-time for public housing, they need to pay a

lot of rent for renting a house, decrease $, decrease material quality

of life

Aspect 2:

Environmental

The government has to do reclamation to increase land supply

which damages the marine habitat of sea creatures in hong kong

which will deteriorate environmental quality of life

Aspect 3:

Economic

Housing price is hardly affordable for individuals, they may not have

the economic support to rent/buy housings, it damages economic

quality of life

Aspect 4:

Spiritual

People live in sub-divided flats live packed together, it may cause

conflicts between one another and damages interpersonal

relationship. Hence, spiritual quality of life

Housing Problems Quality of Life


Practice 1 – Connecting Points with Quality of Life

Characteristics of TSA Characteristics of Quality of Life

Stakeholder 1:

Stakeholder 2:

Stakeholder 3:

Aspect 1:

Aspect 2:

Aspect 3:

Aspect 4:

Primary 3 - TSA Quality of Life



Characteristics of Third Runway Characteristics of Quality of Life

Stakeholder 1:

Stakeholder 2:

Stakeholder 3:

Aspect 1:

Aspect 2:

Aspect 3:

Aspect 4:

Construction of

Airport Third

Runway

Quality of Life



Characteristics of Universal Retirement

Scheme

Characteristics of Quality of Life

Stakeholder 1:

Stakeholder 2:

Stakeholder 3:

Aspect 1:

Aspect 2:

Aspect 3:

Aspect 4:

Universal

Retirement Scheme Quality of Life



Characteristics of Tai Kwun Urban Renewal Characteristics of Quality of Life

Stakeholder 1:

Stakeholder 2:

Stakeholder 3:

Aspect 1:

Aspect 2:

Aspect 3:

Aspect 4:

Urban Renewal

Project – Tai Kwun Quality of Life



Characteristics of OAA Characteristics of Quality of Life

Stakeholder 1:

Stakeholder 2:

Stakeholder 3:

Aspect 1:

Aspect 2:

Aspect 3:

Aspect 4:

Increase subsidy in

Old Age Allowance Quality of Life


LS HUB

HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION (MODULE 2)

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS X

HONG KONG TODAY ~ QUALITY OF LIFE (1)

LIBERAL STUDIES PAPER 1

2 Hours

This paper must be answered in English

(1) This paper consists of three questions. Answer ALL questions.

(2) The Question-Answer Book is inserted into this Question Paper. Write your answers in the spaces provided in the Question-Answer Book. Answers written in this Question Paper will NOT be marked.

(3) Do not write in the margins. Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(4) After the announcement of the start of the examination, you should first write your Candidate Number in the space provided on Page 1 of the Question- Answer Book and stick barcode labels in the spaces provided on Pages 1, 3 and 5.

(5) Supplementary answer sheets will be supplied on request. Write your Candidate Number, mark in the question number box and stick a barcode label on each sheet, and fasten them with string INSIDE the Question-Answer Book.

(6) No extra time will be given to candidates or sticking on the barcode labels or filling in the question number boxes after the “Time is up” announcement.

(7) Candidates are reminded that this subject emphasises the ability to present and support points of view in a clear, concise and logical manner, rather than the ability to recall facts.

Not to be taken away before the

end of the examination session


Data-response Question

1. Consider the following sources:

Source A: The unemployment rate of Hong Kong among different age group from 1997 to 2017

Year

Age Group

Overall 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60 or above

1997 10.0% 2.8% 1.6% 1.7% 2.2% 1.0% 2.2%

2002 30.6% 8.2% 5.4% 6.7% 8.2% 5.0% 7.3%

2007 19.8% 4.6% 2.9% 3.5% 4.6% 2.5% 4.0%

2012 13.8% 5.3% 2.4% 2.8% 2.9% 2.0% 3.1%

2017 11.1% 5.7% 2.2% 2.5% 2.9% 2.2% 2.9%

Source B: An abstract from a newspaper report dated 10 September 2015

More Hongkongers aged 15 to 24 killed themselves last year, with suicide prevention workers

pointing to the exorbitant cost of housing, the lack of social mobility and a negative perception of

young people in society.

Social worker Eddie Wong Lok-man said a 14-year-old youth had once sought his help because he

saw no future in Hong Kong even if he studied hard and went to university.

"He told me his biggest worry was that he would never be able to afford a home, and he said he

needed to start planning even at his age," he said. "Many [young people] think getting into local

universities means nothing unless one can get into the top three. They see tertiary education more

as getting into a huge debt than achieving social mobility.

The latest government statistics show university graduates in the city last year earned just

HK$1,800, or 20 per cent, more than their predecessors of 20 years ago, lagging far behind

inflation and property prices over the same period.

Young people have also been cast in a dim light since the Occupy movement last year. The term fai

cing, meaning "useless youth" in Cantonese, has been popularised by opponents of the hard-core

young supporters of the pro-democracy movement. Such terms would only reinforce

misunderstandings within society, said the centre's director, Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai.

(a) Describe the trend of the unemployment rate of Hong Kong from 1997 to 2012 as shown in

source A. (4 marks)

(b) With reference to the sources, explain how lack of social mobility harms teenager’s personal

development. (5 marks)

(c) “The lack of social mobility in Hong Kong is a more important factor damaging teenager’s

quality of life than teenager’s attitude and personal characteristics.” Do you agree with this

view? Explain your answer. (8 marks)



Source A: Land-use Distribution in Hong Kong

Source B: An abstract from a newspaper report dated 9 May 2018

Wong pointed out the club had been subsidising the golf course’s operations. For example, every year

the club spends more than HK$7 million to sponsor the Hong Kong Open tournaments, which bring

in championship players and thousands of spectators. He stressed that the Fanling course was the only

one in Hong Kong suitable for hosting international competitions. “The golf club has contributed a lot

to the development of golf. Why would someone want to destroy this place and all our efforts over all

these years? There are many ways to resolve Hong Kong people’s housing needs. There is no need to

place the golf course in an antagonistic position with the housing issue,” he lamented.

Source C: An abstract from a newspaper report dated 9 May 2018

“My stance is very clear. Now the whole society needs to squeeze land everywhere by whatever

means to cope with the dire housing shortage. We even target narrow vacant space between

buildings. When everybody is paying a price for this problem, it is unreasonable that the course

won’t make any compromise,” he said. “Playing golf takes up a lot of land. I personally think it’s a

waste of land resources. Besides, a lot of pesticides are used to maintain the grass, which can

damage the overall environment,”

(a) With reference to source A and your own knowledge, what is the major reason of lack of land

supply in Hong Kong? Explain your answer. (4 marks)

(b) “The Fanling Golf Club should be demolished in order to provide more land supply in Hong

Kong.” To what extent do you agree with this view? Justify your answer with reference to the

sources. (8 marks)



Source A: An abstract from a newspaper report dated 8 May 2017

Hongkongers have some of the unhealthiest shopping habits compared with other consumers

around the world, a new Greenpeace survey revealed.

“It’s nothing new that Hong Kong people are addicted to shopping, but we didn’t think that Hong

Kong would rank as one of the tops in the world,” Greenpeace campaigner Bonnie Tang Man-lam

said.

“Most Hongkongers said their feelings of satisfaction from shopping only lasted a day, and they

would then shop again just to fill that empty void. The more they shop, the lonelier they get.”

Greenpeace said the results showed it was time for Hongkongers to reflect carefully on their

shopping habits and differentiate what they needed from what they wanted.

Source B: An abstract from a newspaper report dated 2 November 2017

That was what a university study found after interviewing 2,474 secondary school pupils from 20

city schools in an attempt to learn about the moral character and social behaviour of teenagers.

“Our society is too materialistic and neglects the development of the whole person,” Shek said.

“Materialism is a characteristic in Hong Kong society,” said Shek, who co-authored the study and

is also the chairman of the Family Council, a board that advises officials on family affairs.

Shek claimed the concept of “money is not everything but we can do nothing without money” was

widely accepted by many people in Hong Kong.

Not only did the pupils display signs of materialism, but also showed distrust towards the

government and political parties, according to the study interviewing teenagers in junior and senior

levels between January and July this year.

(a) With reference to the sources, what are the values reflected on the consumption behaviour of

Hong Kong people? Explain your answer. (4 marks)

(b) With reference to the sources, identify and explain TWO causes leading to the unhealthiest

shopping habits among teenagers in Hong Kong. (6 marks)

(c) “Living in a materialistic society does not improve quality of life of Hong Kong citizens.”

Explain how the sources support this view. (7 marks)


LS HUB

HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION (MODULE 2)

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS X

HONG KONG TODAY ~ QUALITY OF LIFE (1)

LIBERAL STUDIES PAPER 2

1 ¼ Hours

This paper must be answered in English

(1) This paper consists of three questions. Answer ONE question only.

(2) Write your answers in the Answer Book provided.

(3) Candidates are reminded that this subject emphasises the ability to present and support points of view in a clear, concise and logical manner, rather than the ability to recall facts.

Not to be taken away before the

end of the examination session


Extended-response Question

Answer one question only.

1. Consider the following source:

An extract from a newspaper report dated 11 March 2016

Central district councillors on Thursday united in bashing the government’s plan to introduce

electronic road pricing in the neighbourhood, saying the policy by itself could not ease chronic road

congestion and pollution in Hong Kong’s core business district.

They argued the government should instead prioritise confronting problems such as rampant illegal

parking and the lack of parking spaces.

Liberal Party councillor Joseph Chan Ho-lim, representing the Peak constituency, said the root

cause of traffic jams in Central was widespread double-parking in key arteries such as Queen’s

Road Central and Chater Road.

“Right now, the problem of severe congestion in Central is not about more cars or fewer cars

coming to Central. The problem is the cars in Central don’t move at all,” said Chan. “Why the cars

don’t move? It’s because of illegal parking ... parts of the roads are always blocked.

(a) What are the conflicts between stakeholders in the establishment of electronic road pricing?

Explain your answer. (8 marks)

(b) Evaluate the effectiveness of implementing electronic road pricing in central business district

in Hong Kong. (12 marks)



Source A: An abstract from a newspaper report dated 1 August 2018

To say that Hong Kong’s construction industry is the world’s most vibrant is not an overstatement.

But we are also one of the world’s most wasteful societies. The impact of construction waste

produced by the city is enormous, as reported in this newspaper recently. Over the past decade, a

staggering HK$7.6 billion has been spent in disposing of such waste that could have been reused

for reclamation and building projects.

That the issue has not been widely discussed in society does not mean it is unimportant. As we do

not often come across construction waste in our daily life, we tend to think that the problem does

not exist or has been taken care of. But the truth is that we are incurring massive costs by sending

the waste across the border for reclamation instead of putting it to good use ourselves.

Source B: The Map of Landfills and Fill Facilities in Hong Kong

(a) What are the difficulties of the government to manage solid waste disposal in Hong Kong?

Explain your answer. (8 marks)

(b) “To improve the quality of life of Hong Kong citizen’s, the Hong Kong government should

build more landfills in Hong Kong.” To what extent do you agree with this view? Explain

your answer. (12 marks)


3. Consider the following source:

An abstract from a newspaper dated 3 August 2018 and 18 July 2018

By many measures, Hong Kong is one of the healthiest places in the world. We have one of the

lowest infant mortality rates, and we come out on top in terms of life expectancy.

But like many developed societies, we are seeing a rise in non-communicable diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory problems have become the main

threats to our health. Around 55 per cent of deaths in Hong Kong are due to these conditions.

“Care work, both paid or unpaid, is crucial to the future of decent work,” states the International

Labour Organisation in a recent report. Care work is the bedrock of economic growth, as well as

contributing to the well-being of individuals and society.

As Hong Kong braces itself for the impact of an ageing population, the care industry is a crucial

sector for sustainable development. In less than two decades, the population reaching retirement

age will have doubled, with only half the population in the workforce, and 2.37 million people (31

per cent of the population) potentially needing care.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong predicted that the city would need 600,000

migrant domestic helpers by 2047 to meet demand.

(a) Evaluate the impacts of ageing population towards quality of life of Hong Kong people.

(8 marks)

(b) “The government should legislate to extend the retirement age to the age of 70”. Do you agree

with this view? Explain you answer. (12 marks)

END OF PAPER


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