Hong Kong Democratic Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Democratic Foundation (HKDF) was established on 27 October 1989 by Jimmy McGregor and Dr Leong Che-hung as a political party
. HKDF had four legislators when it was founded: Mr Jimmy McGregor, Dr Leong Che-hung, Ms Leung Wai-tung and Mr Chan Ying-lun. Dr C.H.Leong chaired the HKDF when it was founded but the chairmanship was soon passed on to another medical doctor, Dr Shiu Kin-ying, Patrick in April 1992, who served as HKDF's second chairman until 1997. The HKDF contested the first legislative council direct election in 1992 but did not win any seat. Dr C.H.Leong later left the HKDF to join Meeting Point
, which later merged with the United Democrats of Hong Kong
to form the Democratic Party of Hong Kong (Dr C.H. Leong did not join the Democratic Party).
The HKDF later lost the last seat in the Legislative Council when Jimmy McGregor was defeated by James Tien
in the Commercial First (Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
) Functional Constituency. Jimmy McGregor was later appointed to Governor Chris Patten
's Executive Council in October 1995, but he stayed with the HKDF as a senior member and mentor until his retirement to Canada
in 1997.
The HKDF started its full scale transformation to become a political and public policy think tank when Mr Lung Ka-lun, Alan took over as its third Chairman from Patrick Shiu Kin-ying in 1997. Today, the HKDF positions itself as an independent, multi-racial, multi-cultural political think tank
made up of local people committed to shaping government policy in order to make Hong Kong
a more open, progressive society in which all people can share the fruits of its success.
To this end, HKDF focuses on the development and promotion of policies and the primary activity is to seek to influence Hong Kong's economic
, political and social development. The HKDF says that it aims to accomplish those goals through the production of position paper
s on relevant topics; developed within the framework of its policies and principles.
The HKDF holds monthly luncheons addressed by highly distinguished guest speakers on topics of interest to members and useful to its policy development. Additionally, it holds meetings with experts, legislator
s and organisations for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of its proposals. The Hong Kong Democratic Foundation website lists a long and comprehensive archive of its ideas and advocations. The website is probably one of the largest websites about Hong Kong in terms of number of characters published; but it is quite education
al and it is sometimes used as an information source by researchers on Hong Kong affairs.
The political view of the HKDF is liberal and pro-democracy
. However, the HKDF has kept its political discussion within the territory of Hong Kong and has stayed away from criticism of Mainland China
. HKDF seems to have a strong pro-market view in terms of its economic policy but it also seems to have a strong social agenda as it supports minimum wage
legislation in Hong Kong.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
. HKDF had four legislators when it was founded: Mr Jimmy McGregor, Dr Leong Che-hung, Ms Leung Wai-tung and Mr Chan Ying-lun. Dr C.H.Leong chaired the HKDF when it was founded but the chairmanship was soon passed on to another medical doctor, Dr Shiu Kin-ying, Patrick in April 1992, who served as HKDF's second chairman until 1997. The HKDF contested the first legislative council direct election in 1992 but did not win any seat. Dr C.H.Leong later left the HKDF to join Meeting Point
Meeting Point
The Meeting Point was a political organisation formed for the discussion for the Sino-British negotiation on the question of Hong Kong prospect in 1983. It later on joined the first direct election of the geographical constituency seats in 1991 legislative election and won a historical landslide...
, which later merged with the United Democrats of Hong Kong
United Democrats of Hong Kong
The United Democrats of Hong Kong was a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. By 1995 it was merged with the Meeting Point to form the Democratic Party...
to form the Democratic Party of Hong Kong (Dr C.H. Leong did not join the Democratic Party).
The HKDF later lost the last seat in the Legislative Council when Jimmy McGregor was defeated by James Tien
James Tien
James Tien Pei-chun GBS OBE JP is the former Chairman of the Liberal Party , a pro-business and pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong, and former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong . He was also a member of the District Council of Hong Kong in the Central and Western district...
in the Commercial First (Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1861. It is a self-funding, non-profit organization whose mission is to safeguard and represent trade, service and industry in Hong Kong...
) Functional Constituency. Jimmy McGregor was later appointed to Governor Chris Patten
Chris Patten
Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, CH, PC , is the last Governor of British Hong Kong, a former British Conservative politician, and the current chairman of the BBC Trust....
's Executive Council in October 1995, but he stayed with the HKDF as a senior member and mentor until his retirement to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1997.
The HKDF started its full scale transformation to become a political and public policy think tank when Mr Lung Ka-lun, Alan took over as its third Chairman from Patrick Shiu Kin-ying in 1997. Today, the HKDF positions itself as an independent, multi-racial, multi-cultural political 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...
made up of local people committed to shaping government policy in order to make Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
a more open, progressive society in which all people can share the fruits of its success.
To this end, HKDF focuses on the development and promotion of policies and the primary activity is to seek to influence Hong Kong's economic
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, political and social development. The HKDF says that it aims to accomplish those goals through the production of position paper
Position paper
A position paper is an essay that presents an opinion about an issue, typically that of the author or another specified entity; such as a political party. Position papers are published in academia, in politics, in law and other domains....
s on relevant topics; developed within the framework of its policies and principles.
The HKDF holds monthly luncheons addressed by highly distinguished guest speakers on topics of interest to members and useful to its policy development. Additionally, it holds meetings with experts, legislator
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
s and organisations for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of its proposals. The Hong Kong Democratic Foundation website lists a long and comprehensive archive of its ideas and advocations. The website is probably one of the largest websites about Hong Kong in terms of number of characters published; but it is quite education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
al and it is sometimes used as an information source by researchers on Hong Kong affairs.
The political view of the HKDF is liberal and pro-democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
. However, the HKDF has kept its political discussion within the territory of Hong Kong and has stayed away from criticism of Mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
. HKDF seems to have a strong pro-market view in terms of its economic policy but it also seems to have a strong social agenda as it supports minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
legislation in Hong Kong.