"Public Opinion Research Project for Domestic and Overseas Hongkongers" Launched Calling for Worldwide Participation
14 Jan 2025
1. Background
The "Public Opinion Research Project for Domestic and Overseas Hongkongers" is composed primarily of Hong Kongers who have emigrated abroad in recent years. The project is led by Dr. Chung Kim-wah, who has extensive experience in university education and academic research in Hong Kong. During his tenure at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr. Chung participated in or directed over 300 surveys and opinion research projects of various scales. After retiring from PolyU, he also served as Deputy CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute for two years.
Although the team members have moved overseas for various reasons, they remain deeply concerned about Hong Kong affairs. We recognize that many Hong Kongers abroad, while rebuilding their lives and embracing new national identities, still maintain a strong emotional connection to Hong Kong. They identify as Hong Kongers, care about Hong Kong's situation, and wish to voice their opinions on various issues. They remain stakeholders in Hong Kong's affairs.
Given the increasing difficulty for Hong Kongers to express their opinions on many matters and the suspension of some long-standing public opinion research projects in Hong Kong, we initiated this project.
To ensure the continued presence of the voices from Hong Kong's civil society, to allow Hong Kongers' views to be heard, and to provide perspectives on public and social issues, we have established the "Public Opinion Research Project for Domestic and Overseas Hongkongers."
We firmly believe that the identity of being "Hong Kongers" has transcended geographical boundaries. In the current political climate, this identity must extend beyond the physical confines of Hong Kong. Exploring Hong Kongers' opinions on various issues must encompass a more comprehensive scope, including those who have dispersed overseas.
In the coming months, we will conduct approximately ten public opinion surveys, inviting Hong Kongers both at home and abroad to share their perspectives and ensure their voices are heard loud and clear.
2. Advisory Committee
The project has an advisory committee consisting of members from various professional sectors who provide insights and opinions on poll research. The members include:
-Albert Lai
A veteran engineer with special focus on sustainable development and urban studies. Some of his past services in Hong Kong include: founding chairman of the Professional Commons and HK People's Council for Sustainable Development, chairman of the Conservancy Association, Vice-chair of the Civic Party and member of the HKSAR Commission for Strategic Development.
-Athena Tong
She is a researcher at the University of Tokyo and China Strategic Risks Institute, specialising in narrative-building, identity politics, psychopolitics, and information operations. With experience in political advocacy and civil society in Hong Kong and abroad, she brings multilingual insights into strategic communication dynamics.
-Benson Wai Kwok Wong
As a former Assistant Professor in Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University (2010–18), he served as a Co-investigator for the Hong Kong Transition Project (2003–16) and later as the Honorary Director of the "We Hongkongers" project under the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (2019–22). In the U.K., he was a Co-investigator for a survey on the second anniversary of the BNO Visa Scheme, jointly conducted by The Chaser News and Citizens of Our Time Learning Hub (COOTL) (2022–23).
-Fernando Cheung
Former Hong Kong legislator, social worker, and teacher. Fought for social justice and improvements of the wellbeing for the underprivileged. Currently in exile in Canada. Aim to continue the fight for social justice for persons with disabilities and the fight for freedom and democracy for Hong Kong.
-Linda Wong
She has worked as a barrister for many years, consistently focusing on issues related to human rights and gender equality. She has served as an executive committee member for various non-governmental organizations and has also worked as a part-time lecturer at different universities.
-Yip, Kam Lung Sam
Bachelor of Aviation Management, Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne, Australia). Master Student of Area Studies and Academic Specialist (2022-24), the University of Tokyo. Find of Research: Local Politics and Administration, Central-Local Relationship, Political Sociology, East Asia Politics, Animation Economics. Member of Central & Western District Council, Hong Kong (2020-21), Vice-Conveyor and Conveyor of Human Rights Committee of Civil Human Rights Front (2020-21). Conveyor of APAC Committee of Assembly of Citizens' Representative, Hong Kong.
*Additionally, some members are unable to disclose their identities due to risk considerations.
3. Initial Plan
Starting from January 2025, we will openly recruit Hongkongers worldwide to join the "Opinion Panel" of the project, aiming for over a thousand participants. Anyone who identifies themselves as "Hongkonger" and is 18 years or above, regardless of their country of residence, is welcome to join.
From 2025 to 2026, group members will receive approximately 10 invitations to complete online surveys. The tentative topics include "Hongkonger Identity," "Rule of Law," "Social Policies," "Freedom," and the "June Fourth Incident."
After each survey, we will publish the results for public reference. Additionally, we tentatively plan to hold 2 to 3 seminars, the format of which is yet to be determined.
4. Handling Personal Data
The project will only collect the most basic information from opinion group members, including name, gender, age, email address, and residential area. It will not request participants' full names in Chinese or English, phone numbers, ID numbers, passport numbers, IP addresses, copies of identity documents, or other sensitive personal information.
The project's website servers and cloud storage systems are located in the United States and Switzerland. The respective companies have implemented strict cybersecurity measures, and the data is encrypted for protection. Upon completing each survey, personal data will be immediately separated from the survey data.
The project has established a rigorous privacy and personal data policy in compliance with the UK's "General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)" to handle the collected data.
5. Conclusion
We guarantee that we will make every effort to ensure that participants' personal data will not be leaked and that all data will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. We hope for your trust and support to allow Hongkongers worldwide and this project to continue voicing concerns for Hong Kong.
Contact: Dr. Kim Wah Chung admin@hkerpoll.com
Website: https://hkerpoll.com/
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