Tycoon Ronnie Chan Chi-chung has, perhaps, never set his sights so low when doing business. But making his debut in 'politics' - in its broadest sense - last week, he set modest goals and low expectations for the new Hong Kong Development Forum that he has co-founded.
Despite the number of movers and shakers among its members, Mr Chan maintained that the group was not a political party. Neither was it a political lobby, nor a political discussion group. There are no intentions to formulate a political platform. And in view of the enormous financial resources required, he said that they had no plans to develop the group into a policy think-tank.
They just want to create a forum for different ideas, he said. No more, no less. Speaking to journalists last week, he admitted that they have yet to draw up a detailed working plan. 'We are merely building the stage. The speakers will be the actors,' he said.
Without directly commenting on the current public debate on politics in Hong Kong, Mr Chan has emphasised the forum's wish for more 'rational and constructive voices and insightful views' to be heard through the media.
Although it may only be a half step, the business-led initiative marks a significant development. This is not so much because Mr Chan is the first tycoon to dip into Hong Kong's political waters. Nor does his move have any implications on elections for the third chief executive. (He said he has no intention of joining the race). Its significance lies in a growing sense of awareness of the importance of fresh initiatives among Hong Kong's elites to defuse tension over the democracy debate through bridge-building and dialogue within the community.
Not surprisingly, the founders of the forum felt the urgent need to speak up in the wake of the watershed political changes following the July 1 march, November's District Council elections and the New Year rally, which have further inflated public aspirations for democracy.
