The Lion Rock Institute

The Lion Rock Institute (Chinese: 獅子山學會) is a not-for-profit free-market think tank in Hong Kong. The Lion Rock Institute describes itself as Hong Kong's first independent free-market think tank.[1] According to the Institute's website, it was created "to ensure that freedom and prosperity would continue to thrive in Hong Kong".[2] It is one of the institutions supported by the Atlas Network.[3]

History

The Institute was founded in August 2004[4] by founders Simon Lee, Andrew Work, and Andrew Shuen.

Political stance

The Lion Rock Institution describes itself as "independent".[1] Academic and democracy activist Joseph Cheng regards the Institution as politically neutral.[5]

Activities

The Lion Rock Institution's political activities have been pro-free market. It opposed to an increase of tobacco tax in Hong Kong as proposed by the Hong Kong Government in 2009.[6]

The Lion Rock Institute is active in a range of aspects of Hong Kong society, especially broadcasting and telecom, town planning, transportation, house and redevelopment, fiscal management, competition law, social mobility, minimum wage, education, health care, and financial services.[7] It does not concern itself with foreign policies or those concerning mainland China.

The Institute has been quoted on a number of these issues by newspapers and media outlets in Asia.[8]

Beliefs

The Lion Rock Institute subscribes to the view that "policies from a free market perspective", such as defending property rights, lessening government interferences on the market, and advocating low taxes rates and minimal restrictions on businesses, "will contribute to a freer and more prosperous future for Hong Kong".[9]

Symbolism

The Institute explains that "In the 1950s, hundreds of thousands fled turmoil in Mainland China. They hoped for freedom and a better life. They settled in droves on the slopes of Hong Kong's geographical centre, Lion Rock..."Under the Lion Rock", a 1970s classic by Roman Tam, tells the story of the people who built Hong Kong. The spirit of a community supported the individual efforts of those seeking freedom and prosperity." The Lion Rock name symbolises the strength of the people of Hong Kong, both during this time and in general; by taking on the name, the Institute hopes to express the "hope for freedom, individual courage" and an aspiration to build a prosperous future of the people of Hong Kong.[1]

Values

Among the Institute's values:[10]

  • Free market values as expressed by Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman and others provide the strongest base for guiding successful government policy in Hong Kong.
  • Truly independent research is an absolutely necessary part of the debate leading to intelligent policy.
  • The people of Hong Kong have a right and the capability to be involved in the debate about the economic policy of today that will affect their future.

See also

References
  1. "FAQs". Lion Rock Institute. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  2. "About Us". The Lion Rock Institute. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  3. Ball, Stephen (2013). Global Education Inc.: New Policy Networks and the Neoliberal Imaginary. Routledge. p. 23. ISBN 9781136632846.
  4. Li, Kui Wai (2006). The Hong Kong Economy: Recovery and Restructuring. Hong Kong: McGraw Hill. p. 354. ISBN 9780071247801.
  5. Cheng, Joseph Y. S. (2014). New Trends of Political Participation in Hong Kong. City University of Hong Kong Press. p. 14. ISBN 9789629372330.
  6. Simpson, David (2010). "News analysis". Tobacco Control. BMJ. 19 (2): 93–4. doi:10.1136/tc.2010.036459.
  7. "What We Do". The Lion Rock Institute. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  8. Nick Lord (12 August 2004). "Lion Rock Institute roars into life". Finances Asia.
  9. "FAQs – Why the Name "The Lion Rock Institute"?". Lion Rock Institute. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  10. http://www.lionrockinstitute.org/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=211&Itemid=11
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