Page 89 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

SUPPLEMENTA

Hong Kong Christian Council
Statement in Response to the Economic Crisis
January 99

In 1998 Hong Kong faced the most serious economic crisis of the past 20 years. The Asian monetary turmoil
has severely hit the Hong Kong economy. Only one year ago the Hong Kong Government and international
authorities highly praised the prosperity of this city and the strength of our currency. Today Hong Kong.s
economy undoubtedly has entered a period of economic depression. The number of unemployed is rising
constantly and has broken the 5.5% barrier, setting a new record since 1975 when the Government began to
keep unemployment statistics. Most startling was the news that the unemployment rate among youth
between 15 and 19 was the highest among all age groups in the second quarter of 1998, reaching 17.5% as
compared with 13.4% in the first quarter, an increase of 4.1%. In addition the unemployment rate among
professionals, including non-degree and degree holders, rose from 1.7% in the first quarter to 2.3% and the
situation is not improving.
The second policy speech of the Chief Executive after Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region drew
a bright picture of Hong Kong's future, but failed to present practical ways to reach the goal. The pressing
severe problem of unemployment is not even mentioned. Hong Kong's prosperity and its economic self-
confidence are things of the past. It faces a bleak long period which will not easily pass. In order to progress
together with the majority of Hong Kong people on a difficult road, in order to search together with the people
of Hong Kong for new concepts and a lifestyle based on "man does not live by bread alone", in order to meet
together with the people of Hong Kong the new challenges of the age and to create a new space, the Hong
Kong Christian Council issues the following call:
We call on the Government to stand firm, to be objective, to lay down practical economic goals and to
emphasize realistic and achievable economic objectives.
We call on the Government to face the increasingly severe unemployment situation, especially unemployment
among youth and professionals and to propose real and feasible ways to solve the problem.
We call on the Government as it is concerned with economic development that there is also a need to be
concerned with social development so that the two go hand in hand. At the same time we request the
Government to improve unemployment benefits so as to relieve the economic burden and psychological
pressure on workers due to unemployment, and to protect the worker's fair share in the wealth of society

We call on the Government to enact and implement fair labour legislation, to protect the employment
opportunities of local workers as a priority, to take action against illegal labour, to protect labour against
discrimination based on age, sex. disability, and nationality.
We call on those in authority to be more responsive, offer more transparency and to respect human rights and
the law more thoroughly.
We call on all the churches in Hong Kong and their members to respond in earnest, to reaffirm their own values
and aims in life, and base them on Christian faith and values, to begin spiritual renewal with themselves and to
educate the next generation in spiritual values.

We call on all the churches in Hong Kong to reaffirm their missionary outlook, to stand on the side of the poor,
allowing the gospel to enter deeply into society at the grassroots, so that the church becomes a community of
faith, sharing burdens and expressing the sweet fragrance and presence of Christ.

We call on each Christian in Hong Kong to pray fervently to God. that He may protect Hong Kong and treat all
with generosity, so that Hong Kong may put into practice the justice of God and work towards Cod's kingdom.

We call on all citizens of Hong Kong to join hands, to cooperate, to have an optimistic outlook and to build a
bright future.

87