24 hours with James Tien Pei-chun

I don't consider myself an early riser. I usually get up at about 8am because I go to sleep late. This is why I don't play golf, because I wouldn't make it in time to tee-off. If I don't have any business meetings I usually eat a light breakfast at home - congee - but if I have a breakfast meeting I will order a full western breakfast with sausage and eggs. I have to watch my cholesterol, despite the fact I am quite slim, so I don't eat everything on my plate.

I basically commute in a triangle between my house on The Peak, my office at Hutchison House, Admiralty, and the Legco building. Everything is in reach within minutes and I like that. That's why I have a high attendance rate as a legislator. I'm one of the Liberal Party's candidates in the September election so these days I am starting my days much earlier, probably waking at 6am. I won't say I am 100 per cent confident of winning, but my associates have done some research and the results were very promising. It's going to require a lot of energy but I am going to try to reach as many people as possible in my district (New Territories East). I plan to greet morning commuters at KCR and MTR stations. If you have the chance to shake someone's hand or say hello, you have the chance to make an impression. I choose these places because you can reach the most people at one time. I used to believe most people had strong notions about who they would vote for. But there are many people who are still undecided and I hope I can change them. It will be physically demanding but I think I can handle it.

Ten years ago, when I decided to go into politics, I shifted from the textile-manufacturing business to investments because it gave me more free time. It was the only way I could manage. I have colleagues in Legco who are doctors and lawyers and they try to keep their practices at the same time. I estimate I spend no more than 10 per cent of my time at Manhattan Holdings, my investment company. I am lucky because my wife Mary, whom I met in college, is an accountant. She handles all my financial matters. I also have a team of business advisers. I don't deal with small matters, but they make recommendations and I am a quick decision-maker.

I am devoting all my time to my campaign right now. I've been a legislator for years but this is my first time participating as a Legco direct-election candidate. Morale is high within the Liberal Party. The public thinks the Liberal Party is concerned only with business interests, and although we haven't wavered from that I think it's time we moved forward to become a fully fledged political party and concerned ourselves with issues Hong Kong people care about. We have strong support from the business sector but our weakness is in addressing issues relating to social welfare and housing, and we will allocate resources for that. We want the whole of Hong Kong society to prosper. It pleases me that sometimes workers tell me they realise you have to preserve business interests because if businesses make money, people have jobs.

Some people don't know us [the Liberal Party] well because most of our work is behind the scenes. We have lobbied hard to streamline government procedures and do away with bureaucracy. Some people say we don't hold any steadfast positions. That's one way of looking at it. But I'd say we are flexible. Hong Kong is a fluid society and things are constantly changing. I have to keep an open mind. In politics it's not just about what you want to do but when you do it.

My wife always says I love being with people. I am outgoing and approachable, which helps in my political work. I wasn't very good at school so I am not a know-it-all, but I listen and I am not stubborn. My family has been supportive of my decision to run in the elections, although they do it in a subtle way. They don't want to get involved with my campaign. My son, Calvin, and daughter, Andrea, also work at my company, so I am fortunate I can see them frequently. They are good kids, both studied abroad and have worked with other companies before joining me in the family business.