The survey results of the "Consumer Confidence Index" released on the 26th by Hong Kong's largest political group, the Association for the Democratic Construction of Hong Kong (DAB), showed that the public's outlook for Hong Kong's economic prospects turned optimistic. A survey agency commissioned by the DAB successfully interviewed 862 Hong Kong citizens aged 18 or above by telephone from December 13 to 29 last year. The results show that compared with the same subject survey conducted in June last year, the "current situation index" in the past year and now has obviously dropped to a new low in history. However, the "consumer expectation index" looking forward to the future is the second highest level in history, and the "comprehensive consumer sentiment index" in the past, now and in the future is the highest since June 2021. Zhou Haoding, a member of the Civil Construction Joint Legislative Council, said that the two consumer expectation indexes rebounded to high levels, reflecting the expectation of Hong Kong's "customs clearance" with the mainland and Hong Kong's official move towards normalization. Therefore, the confidence in Hong Kong's long-term economy in the future was regained and the trend was obviously optimistic. Zhou Haoding believed that under the first stage of "customs clearance" and normalization measures in the two regions, the SAR government should strengthen its efforts to revitalize the economy, promote industrial diversification, and expand external contacts and market areas, so that all sectors can meet more development and job opportunities. The DAB has conducted a regular survey of Hong Kong citizens' confidence in consumption prospects since October 2004. This is the 39th survey result. (Xinhua News Agency)