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Research Projects / Reports
Research Areas
Projects undertaken by the Institute may be grouped into five major research areas, namely: economic, social, political, legal and cultural. Some research projects are commissioned or sponsored by outside organizations.
Examples of projects recently undertaken by the Institute are as follows:
(1) Strategic Plan for Developing International Arbitration Services in Hong Kong
In the 2007-2008 Policy Address, Mr. Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region stated that “a sound judicial system and comprehensive legal services for dispute resolution are indispensable for an international financial centre”. Echoing the increasing public concerns of developing Hong Kong as an international arbitration centre, the research identifies Hong Kong’s advantages and challenges in developing international arbitration services. The research highlights that, in comparison with Singapore, the relationship between Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and Hong Kong SAR Government has its own advantages and flexibilities. However, in order to consolidate the status of Hong Kong as an international arbitration centre, Hong Kong SAR Government has to further endeavor to foster the cooperation between Hong Kong and other arbitration centres in the Greater China Region. The research also suggests more assistance should be provided to the arbitration centres in the Mainland to establish their subsidiaries in Hong Kong. Furthermore, it is imperative to provide more office space for Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the revision of the Hong Kong Arbitration Bill has to be accelerated, which aims to balance the domestic and international arbitration and make the arbitration legislation and procedures in Hong Kong more user-friendly.
(2) Hong Kong as an International Maritime Centre: Transformation and Upgrading
The shipping industry has always been one of the most important industries in Hong Kong. The National 11th Five-Year Plan clearly states that the Central Government supports Hong Kong to maintain its competitiveness as an international finance, trade and shipping centre. This statement also highlights that the maritime and shipping industry has played an important role in the economic development of Hong Kong. However, the position of Hong Kong as an international maritime centre has faced increasing challenges. The growth rate of container throughput of Hong Kong Port has declined significantly in recent years. Therefore, it is highly imperative to transform and upgrade Hong Kong’s maritime industry. Drawing upon the experiences of other international maritime centres in western countries, this study argues that it is necessary for Hong Kong to reconsider its strategies of upgrading its maritime services in terms of ship finance, insurance, legal consultation, management and brokers. In the long term, Hong Kong has to transform into an international maritime centre beyond the port operation.
(3) Study on the Feasibility, Social Implications and Economic Benefits of the Admission of Domestic Helpers from the Mainland China
The Study aims to study the feasibility, social implications and economic benefits of the admission of domestic helpers from the Mainland China. The purposes of the Study include: to evaluate the market demands of the proposal of the admission of domestic helpers from the Mainland China; to evaluate both the short and long terms social implications and economic benefits of the proposal on Hong Kong and the Mainland; to assess the problems which may arise from the proposal and recommend effective preventive measurements and solutions; and to recommend the policy implementation procedure of the proposal.
Research projects commissioned or sponsored by outside organizations
(1) Consultancy Study on Social, Economic and Political Developments in the Mainland with Particular Emphasis on Regional Developments and the Guangdong Province, that Have Implications for Hong Kong
The Study was commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government to conduct studies on social, economic and political developments in the Mainland with particular emphasis on regional developments and the Guangdong Province, that have implications for Hong Kong. The purposes of the Study include: (1) Monitor important social, economic and political developments in the Mainland, with particular emphasis on regional developments in regions (including Yangtze River Delta Region, Bohai Rim Region (especially the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei metropolitan region) and the Northeast Region) and the Guangdong Province; (2) Analyse the implications of the above developments for Hong Kong; and (3) Recommend strategies and responses for the HKSAR Government’s consideration. (2006-2007)
(2) Consultancy Study on Social, Economic and Political Developments in Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, covering Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan and Hainan
The Study was commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government to conduct studies on social, economic and political developments in Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, covering Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan and Hainan. The purposes of the Study include: (1) Monitor important social, economic and political developments in Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, covering Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan and Hainan; (2) Analyse the implications of the above developments of the four provinces for Hong Kong; and (3) Recommend strategies and responses for the HKSAR Government’s consideration. (2006-2007)
(3) Study on the Recommendations to the Investment Portfolio of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund
The Study was commissioned by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce aiming to evaluate and have recommendations to the existing investment portfolio of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund. The purposes of the Study include: to evaluate the existing investment condition of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund; to take references from overseas/regions with relevant experiences; to examine the constraints and problems faced by the proposal and to recommend strategies for the government’s consideration; and to evaluate the economic benefits and social implications of the proposal for the Mainland China and Hong Kong. (2007)
(4) Study of Feasibility of Additional Cross-boundary Link to the Eastern Part of the Guangdong Province
The Study was commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government. The purposes of the Study include: to examine the feasibility of developing an additional cross-boundary control point to the eastern part of the Guangdong Province, to ascertain the cost-effectiveness of the proposed cross-boundary control point to Hong Kong, to examine the constraints faced by Hong Kong, and to recommend strategies for the government’s consideration. (2006)
(5) The Socio-economic-political Trends in Japan and South Korea
This is a one-year project commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government to monitor social, economic and political trends, as well as major changes in Japan and South Korea. (2003-2004)
(6) The Socio-economic-political Trends on the Mainland, with Particular Emphasis on Guangdong Province
This is a one-year project commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government to monitor social, economic and political trends, as well as major changes on the Mainland, with particular emphasis on Shenzhen and Guangdong Province. (2002-2003)
(7) Study on the Socio-Economic Impact of 24-hour operation of Boundary Control Points
This was a project commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government to collect and analyze opinions and views of different sectors of industrial groupings on 24-hour operation of land boundary control points. (2002)
(8)「Review and Proposals on the Policy of Hong Kong Private Cars Traveling Across Boundary
Private cars were allowed to use the Hong Kong-Shenzhen land boundary control points since June 1981. Due to the policy of "cargo clearance takes precedence over passenger clearance", the stream of traffic of private cars stays at a little over 10% of total land border traffic throughout the years. At present, only 7,000 private cars can meet the requirements of Mainland China and we therefore licensed to use various cross boundary venues. This is in stark contrast to the situation in North America, Singapore and Malaysia where private cars can travel freely across country borders. This policy fails to keep pace with the economic and social development of Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. This report is divided into 2 parts. The first part is a review of the present policy and situation as well as an analysis of the advantages of the policy adopted in North America, Singapore and Malaysia. The second part will put forward proposals on how to relax the present policy of private cars traveling across the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary. This research is sponsored by the Varitronix Foundation Limited. (2002)
(9) The Socio-economic-political Trends on the Mainland
This is a long-term project commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government to monitor the social, economic and political trends, as well as major changes on the Mainland. (2000-2002)
(10) The Socio-economic-political Trends on the Mainland, with Particular Emphasis on Guangdong Province
This is a long-term project commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government to monitor the social, economic and political trends, as well as major changes on the Mainland, with particular emphasis on Shenzhen and Guangdong Province. (1998-2000)
(11) A Review and Policy Proposal on Immigration Control and the Procedures of Passenger Clearance at the Hong Kong - Shenzhen Border Checkpoints
In recent years, there is a tremendous increase in the number of passengers who cross the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen by land which puts a great burden on the border checkpoints while passengers have to suffer long hours awaiting immigration clearance. Take the year 1999 as an example, total time spent by passengers waiting at border checkpoints amounted to 980 million minutes, or 2,50,000 working days. To cut down on the time cost and the bottleneck congestion caused to passenger, vehicles and cargoes at the border, the administration of Hong Kong and Shenzhen need to co-operate and find solutions to the problem in border management, co-ordination as well as exit and entry procedures and time in clearing customs and immigration. The first part of this research reviews in detail the exit and entry procedures and patterns as well as the practical operation at the Hong Kong and Shenzhen border checkpoints. Meanwhile, this review will undertake an assessment of the operative efficiency of and the problems faced by the border checkpoints. The second part of this research investigates into various possibilities of increasing efficiency at the border checkpoints, the feasibility of introducing an automatic passenger clearance system and put forward policy proposals to raise efficiency at the border checkpoints. This research is sponsored by Varitronix Foundation Limited. (2001)
(12)「"The Administration of and Related Policy on Mainland Tourists who joined 'Hong Kong Tour' and 'Tours to Foreign Countries Via Hong Kong'."
This is a study commissioned by the Hong Kong Tourist Association to review the present administration of and related policy on Mainland tourists who joined 'Hong Kong Tour' and 'Tour to Foreign Countries via Hong Kong' with concrete proposals on how to attract more Mainland tourists to join such tours and how to improve co-operation between Hong Kong and Mainland tourist agencies. (1999-2000)
(13) Allocation of Funds and How to Evaluate Success
This is a study commissioned by the Art Development Council to review the current procedural problems in fund allocation of the Council, with recommendations leading to effective handling under the principles of objectivity, fairness and consistency. (Completed Dec.,1998)