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Code of Ethics

The Chamber supports competition and an open and fair competitive environment for business, both in Hong Kong and globally. We recognize that competition is important, not for its own sake but as a means to upgrade quality and productivity, attract first-class investment, and hence enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong.
The Chamber believes that there should be a level playing field for Hong Kong companies both here and overseas. While promoting an open and fair competitive environment here, the Chamber advocates that Hong Kong companies should encounter the same open environment in a foreign country.

The Chamber urges members to refrain from restrictive practices. These can include collusive or predatory behaviors that impair economic efficiency or free trade.

The Chamber believes that most business sectors, given the right conditions and encouragement, can regulate their own affairs and take account of ethical, legal and moral standards. In sectors subject to government regulation, we believe greater competition can be achieved through pro-competitive regulatory reform, as evidenced by the substantial benefits brought about by the de-regulation in the telecommunications industry.
The Chamber believes that self-regulation within the business community is an effective means of promoting competition. A self-regulatory code of practice can provide a positive guide for ethical businesses on agreed best practices that provide safeguards to consumers as well as ensure a competitive marketplace.

The Chamber encourages specific industries to develop, through their respective associations, statements or codes of practice to promote competition within their own sectors. These codes should address common complaints and concerns about practices specific to the industries. Where possible, they should include a complaints-handling procedure as well as provisions to deal with non-compliance of their members.