The South China Morning Post surveyed 27 think-tanks for a snapshot of their work and to canvas their views on the role of think-tanks in Hong Kong: Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre 'People say that we are Donald Tsang's personal think-tank. My answer is we're independent. We do work closely with the government. Only when you work closely with the government can you be more effective' Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, chairman Centre for Public Policy Studies, Lingnan University 'Think-tanks can contribute if the government is open enough. But it has to be open and take think-tanks seriously' Professor Ho Lok-sang, director Hong Kong Centre for Economic Research, University of Hong Kong 'If, as a policy wonk, the chance of being a government minister or the chief secretary is higher, there may be more people getting into this industry' Dr Alan Siu Kai-fat, executive director Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Chinese University 'Some businessmen really want to give back what they've earned from Hong Kong. But they need some reliable, trustworthy institute to fulfil their desire and their ideal of advancing Hong Kong society' Professor Paul Lee Siu-nam, director Hong Kong Policy Research Institute 'One of the reasons why we have not got a lot of financial support from many people is that our political stand is too neutral. We're not inclined to anybody as far as politics is concerned' Peter Pun Kwok-shing, chief executive Lion Rock Institute 'The atmosphere makes it easier for a sponsor to donate because the political climate has changed through the years' Peter Wong Yee-wai, executive director SynergyNet 'The slower the pace of democratisation, the slower the pace of the development of think-tanks in Hong Kong' Professor Ray Yep Kin-man, research director Civic Exchange 'Think-tanks focus on looking at policy, one of the things the government here doesn't like to engage in, neither do the political parties, frankly, or necessarily businessmen who may or may not fund think-tanks' Christine Loh Kung-wai, chief executive Savantas Policy Institute 'People might somewhat equate Savantas with Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, but we are trying to attract local graduates and train them as policy researchers. We're also carrying out a number of studies we hope will be useful for future policy formulation' Ronald Chan Ngok-pang, director of policy development
