Party Beliefs
The Liberal Party is considered conservative and business-friendly. Despite being friendly with Beijing, it fits in the centre-right political spectrum. Although not libertarian in the traditional sense, the party expounds libertarian economic policies such as the opposition to a minimum wage, collective bargaining and antitrust legislation. The Liberals also support limited government, low taxes, and a high degree of economic freedom. The party has been fairly neutral on social issues such as universal suffrage, whilst opposing measures that disturb the public sentiment too greatly: the resignation from the Executive Council of its leader James Tien in 2003 prevented the implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, which ultimately accelerated the downfall of the Tung administration.
The party does not advocate welfare entitlements. Many of its members are from the merchant and business sectors and see preserving the current state of economic freedom as most advantageous for Hong Kong as a whole.
Read more about this topic: Liberal Party (Hong Kong)
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