英譯概念：Encouraging parenthood
【明報專訊】■News summary
Translated by Odyssey Lang
A total of 36,953 babies were born in Hong Kong in 2021. It was the lowest birth rate in the past 30 years. Beginning October 25, 2023, the government will issue a one-time cash reward of $20,000 to every newborn baby born in Hong Kong whose father or mother has been a Hong Kong permanent resident. The scheme would run for three years. Government sources have also said that $2.4 billion, a figure calculated based on a forecast of a 20% yearly growth in the number of newborn babies, will be set aside for the cash handouts.
The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council is expected to approve the funding as soon as the first quarter of 2024, and applicants will be able to receive the handouts 2 to 3 weeks after making the application. It is reported that the Births Registries under the Immigration Department will provide parents with application forms; they can also register online. They will receive a message after completing the procedure.
Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki has said that, if Hong Kong is to maintain its population size, each woman will need to have an average of 2.1 children, which is difficult for many developed cities to achieve. He has said that he respects those young people’s choice not to have children, as some “prefer pets to children”. However, he hopes to provide housing and financial support for families who want to have children but face difficulties, at the same time conveying the government's message of encouraging parenthood, so that large-scale companies will provide friendly work environments for employees with children.
■Mock examination question
What roles does the Hong Kong government play in encouraging parenthood? Explain your answer using the information provided and your own knowledge. (4 points)
■Suggested answer
(1)Role as the policy maker
As can be seen from the source, the Hong Kong government can play the role of the policy maker in encouraging parenthood. The government has set aside HK$2.4 billion to provide a one-off payment of $20,000 to every newborn baby born in Hong Kong whose father or mother is a Hong Kong permanent resident. The scheme will last three years. The government provides economic incentives and formulates policies to encourage citizens to have children.
(2)Role as the resource allocator
To encourage parenthood, the Hong Kong government can play the role of the allocator of social resources, providing benefits and increasing resources to families with newborn babies. Due to high property prices in Hong Kong and the high living index, there are married couples who refuse to have children. The government has launched many policies to create a child-friendly environment, such as the "Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme", which a quota of HOS flats will be reserved for balloting and priority flat selection by family applicants with newborn babies. Such policies can help families with children to improve their living environment, thus increasing people's desire to have children.
(本網發表的作品若提出批評，旨在指出相關制度、政策或措施存在錯誤或缺點，目的是促使矯正或消除這些錯誤或缺點，循合法途徑予以改善，絕無意圖煽動他人對政府或其他社群產生憎恨、不滿或敵意。)
[智學公民 第079期]
