We're Not Snubbing University Students: Paul Chan

The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, on Saturday rejected suggestions that he's discriminating against university students - who have been the mainstay of the anti-extradition bill movement - by not giving them a subsidy under a relief package rolled out earlier this week.

The measures unveiled on Thursday ranged from tax concessions, extra social security payments and housing allowances for local residents to waivers for government fees and relief for small and medium-sized businesses.

Under the package, students in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools will each receive a HK$2,500 subsidy - but not university students.

However, Chan said that in the last two budgets he's unveiled allowances to help university students, who can still apply for grants and loans.

He said the subsidies for students in this week's package are actually intended to help parents.

"The coming economic challenge is daunting," Chan said.

"During difficult economic times, usually middle-class families, grassroots families will suffer financial hardship. Our plan is that by giving students allowances we can, in a way, relieve the financial burden of their parents."