Hong Kong Budget

Hong Kong's first budget under Chinese rule won a lukewarm welcome from the people on Thursday. Many said the modest tax breaks were better than nothing but they should have gone further to heal financial sore spots. A snap poll showed 58 percent of people believed the budget would not help them out of their financial difficulties. The telephone poll by the mass-selling Apple Daily newspaper showed only 30 percent thought it would ease their plight. "I don't see any benefit from this budget," a builder called Tam told Reuters. "The only benefit is the property tax cut. But I will have to pay more money on fuel," he said.