In a pluralistic society, as much as we think the business community's views are extremely important for Hong Kong, there are others who hold views different from ours. But increasingly in Hong Kong, the business community has to speak up to make sure that policies are business friendly. The Chamber has been speaking up more and more recently, as voices all through the community compete for recognition. How does the Chamber get its views across to the government and to the media? Let me elaborate on how we arrive at our policy positions and how we publicise them to further the interest of our members and the business community.

Twice a year, we make a formal submission to the government. One is for the Policy Address by the Chief Executive in the fall, and the other is for the Budget speech in the spring. The input to these submissions, drafted by our Chief Economist, is solicited by all 26 special purpose committees of the Chamber. Then, throughout the year, the Chamber is asked by the government for consultation input. Depending on the subject, the relevant committees are asked for their comments, and the input may or may not go back through the General Committee, depending on the significance. On other long-term business issues -- sometimes generated by members or by the directorate -- with difference of opinion, our 26 committees are asked for their expert opinion by the directorate and by the General Committee. After the GC approves a position, then it is provided to the government and to the press.

Finally, there is a set of principles which form the cornerstone of Chamber views. For example, smaller and more efficient government, as few regulations as possible so as not to encumber business, support for the rule of law and the philosophy of Hong Kong as an international city, help for the SMEs, push for more economic linkage with the Mainland ... .