The Lion Rock Institute (獅子山學會) is a non-profit, public policy think tank

Think tank

A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...

 that advocates free market

Free market

A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts...

 solutions for Hong Kong's policy challenges. Founded in 2004, The Lion Rock Institute remains Hong Kong's only independent free-market think tank. According to the Institute's website, it was created "to ensure that freedom and prosperity would continue to thrive in Hong Kong."

Beliefs

The Lion Rock Institute subscribes to the view that free markets, by defending property rights, lessen government interferences on the market, and advocating low taxes rates and minimal restrictions on businesses. Its founders are Simon Lee, Andrew Work, and Andrew Shuen, who believe "policies from a free market perspective [...] will contribute to a freer and more prosperous future for Hong Kong."

Symbolism

The Institute explains that "In the 1950s, hundreds of thousands fled turmoil in Mainland China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

. They hoped for freedom and a better life. They settled in droves on the slopes of Hong Kong’s geographical centre, Lion Rock

Lion Rock

Lion Rock, or less formally Lion Rock Hill, is a famous hill in Hong Kong. It is located between Kowloon Tong in Kowloon and Tai Wai in the New Territories, and is 495 metres high...

..."Under the Lion Rock", a 1970s classic by Roman Tam

Roman Tam

Roman Tam, known by the stage name Lo Man , nickname Law Kee , was a renowned Hong Kong Cantopop singer. He is regarded as the "Godfather of Cantopop".-Career:...

, 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 symbolizes 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.

Values

Among the Institute's values:

• Free market values as expressed by Adam Smith
  Adam Smith
  Adam Smith was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations...
  
  , Friedrich Hayek
  Friedrich Hayek
  Friedrich August Hayek CH , born in Austria-Hungary as Friedrich August von Hayek, was an economist and philosopher best known for his defense of classical liberalism and free-market capitalism against socialist and collectivist thought...
  
  , Milton Friedman
  Milton Friedman
  Milton Friedman was an American economist, statistician, academic, and author who taught at the University of Chicago for more than three decades...
  
   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.

Activity

The Lion Rock Institute remains active in a wide range of issues in Hong Kong society. The majority of The Lion Rock Institute's efforts are devoted to broadcasting and telecom, town planning, transportation, house and redevelopment, fiscal management, competition law, social mobility, minimum wage, education, health care, and financial services. The Institute has been quoted on a number of these issues by newspapers and media outlets in Asia.

The Institute focuses on Hong Kong related issues, only. It is not involved in research or debates regarding foreign policy or Mainland China.

External links

• The Lion Rock Institute Chinese Wikipedia
• The Lion Rock Institute
• The Lion Rock Institute Facebook Page