My friend, Nick Sallnow-Smith, stepped down as the Chairman of the Lion Rock Institute in March, completing a three-year term. It is my honour to take over the Chairmanship of the Institute. Three and a half years ago, I was appointed as the interim chairman for six months. The taskContinue reading>
SCMP (2015.01.21, Comment – Insight & Opinon) The Swiss National Bank dropped a bombshell last Thursday when it removed the Swiss franc’s peg to the euro. In the wake of its announcement, a cacophony of opinions and speculation has emerged on why the bank chose to cut its ties withContinue reading>
SCMP (2015.01.05, Comment – Insight & Opinon) The latest data from the International Monetary Fund shows that, in terms of purchasing power parity, China’s gross domestic product in 2014 is estimated to have surpassed that of the US. That has made for uncomfortable reading for those long aware of China’sContinue reading>
On Backchat, we’ll talk about more money for civil servants. The Pay Trend Survey Committee has proposed civil servants should receive a salary increase from 3.8-5.96% with the higher grades getting the biggest increase. Is the current pay rise mechanism fair? Do they earn their money? Presenters: Sin Chung-kai, Legislator, Democratic Party;Continue reading>
On Backchat, we’ll talk about government’s incentives to encourage couples to make babies. Should Hong Kong follow other countries like Singapore paying families to have babies? What do you think of tax rebates or cash handouts? Peter Wong, Executive Director, Lion Rock Institute Prof Ho Lok-sang, Professor of Economics andContinue reading>
Harbour Times (P11, 2013.05.10) “Labour Isn’t Working”, said Ms. Margaret Thatcher, leader of the Conservative Party in 1979. She became the first female Prime Minister in UK that year beating the Labour Party. Under her leadership, the British government loosened a broad range of regulations, reduced the power andContinue reading>
On Backchat, we’ll be talking about poverty in Hong Kong. According to a report by Oxfam, a record high of 650,000 people in 194,100 working households are living in poverty. Why? Guest Host: Miranda Szeto Guests: Frederick Fung, Legislator/ Member, Poverty Commission Peter Wong, Executive Director, Lion Rock Institute ChuaContinue reading>
Hong Kong is expected to have a new competition law following years of debate in the community. Councillors are going through the final stages of their scrutiny on the compeition bill and are expected to give their endorsement later today. Some critics have said the law, which aims at curbingContinue reading>
On today’s Backchat, we’ll be talking about new minimum wage rate as the Minimum Wage Commission has launched an eight-week consultation on increasing rate of the statutory minimum wage to the range of $29 to $35 per hour. Is the adjustment acceptable? Dr. Chung Kim Wah, Assistant Professor, Department ofContinue reading>
Press Release The release of the Economic Freedom of the World: 2011 Annual Report Hong Kong is again ranked first in the Economic Freedom of the World: 2011 Annual Report, released today by the Lion Rock Institute, Hong Kong’s leading free-market think-tank.