Hong Kong people are proud of being Chinese, have a strong sense of national pride, and are confident in both Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland's future economic development, according to a civic education survey released Wednesday.

The survey, conducted between October and December 2004, is part of a series of public opinion surveys the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education has conducted every other year since 1986, according to a government press release.

For the first time, the survey included an assessment of Hong Kong community's sense of national identity and pride.

Regarding the community's sense of national identity and national pride, more than half of respondents agreed or strongly agreed to the following statements: 73 percent respondents agree that "I am proud of being Chinese."

Most of the respondents took pride in China's achievements and were very concerned about affairs in the Chinese mainland.

Policy 21 Ltd and the University of Hong Kong's Center for Civil Society Governance conducted this survey through face-to-face interviews with 1,054 people aged 15 to 69 in Hong Kong households. The response rate reached 70.2 percent.

The survey's major objectives were to assess the community's sense of: national identity and pride, sense of belonging to and confidence in Hong Kong, civil behavior and values system and civic engagement and participation.

The majority of respondents identify themselves as Chinese, are proud of being Chinese, concern about affairs in the Chinese mainland, respect the interests of China, and are confident about China's future development.

Results suggest that the public has a very strong sense of belonging to Hong Kong. There is also strong relationship between the community's sense of belonging to Hong Kong and sense of national pride.

Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education Chairman Daniel Heung said it was encouraging that Hong Kong people have a strong sense of national identity and pride.

He added the committee would take into account the results in formulating future plans to promote national education in Hong Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2005)