"There were no tidings of joy on March 5, Budget Day, this year. Then again, none had been expected. In fact on the eve of the important day, hundreds of old people had gathered in front of Government Headquarters in a last-ditch effort to plead their case against reducing aid for the elderly and the needy. Faced with a huge deficit, some say, the Government is immersed in juggling with numbers, having no attention to spare for people desperately needing help"--RTHK web page.