About SD Advocates

Welcome to the website of SD Advocates, an independent think tank established in April 2010 to focus on Hong Kong’s sustainable development for the benefit of the wider community and the future generations.

Since our inception, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to our core mission of promoting economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and social sustainability, which we believe are inextricably intertwined to form the backbone of Hong Kong’s sustained prosperity and balanced growth. These sustainable development concepts are also crucial to Hong Kong’s new strategic roles in the national development, especially in terms of our integration with the Greater Bay Area (GBA), our unique status as an international financial centre as well as our great potential to contribute to the country’s new quality productive forces.

When it comes to policy research, advocacy and stakeholder engagement, SD Advocates has been at the forefront of championing a holistic, humanistic and multipronged land development strategy for the North West New Territories, with a view to unleashing its enormous development potential for residential housing, high-tech incubation and commercial development, in the overall context of Hong Kong’s integration with GBA. In essence, what we advocate is a broader and bolder approach for low-density and underdeveloped areas during the urbanisation planning process, transforming them into new engines for future growth. Along this line, we are particularly pleased to see the launch of the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, as announced in the Chief Executive’s Policy Address in 2021.

On the social front, we have exerted considerable efforts to enhance public awareness of national identity as well as historical and cultural roots. This has been done through structured and thematic school talks and educational programs, including an animated series entitled “Roots: In Search of 100m Family Names”. Sponsored by Bright Future Charitable Foundation, this online project aims to help local youngsters understand the origins and meanings of their family names in an interesting and lively way. With SD Advocates celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, our strategic focus will be more on the promotion and advocacy of social harmony and cohesion as well as cultural diversity, in addition to studies on economic sustainability and land development.

As always, we believe in the importance of effective communication for the mitigation of societal issues and challenges. In this regard, SD Advocates will continue to tap into its diverse talent pool in pursuing policy studies and advocacy and engagement initiatives.

Message from the Chairman

This year marks the 15th anniversary of SD Advocates, providing us with an excellent opportunity to reflect upon what we have together achieved and to rethink our strategies and priorities in line with Hong Kong’s latest development.

It is encouraging to note that SD Advocates has come a long way, from impactful policy studies to formulation and promulgation of ideas and viewpoints serving the public good. Over the decade or so, SD Advocates has established itself as a credible advocacy platform for those who are dedicated to making an impact on Hong Kong’s sustainable development. We are indeed indebted to the tremendous contributions made by former Chairman Dr Pun Kwok-shing, outgoing Secretary General Mr CF Tang, and our Senior Advisers in laying a solid foundation for the think tank.

While staying true to its core mission, however, SD Advocates must continue to evolve and transform itself, to remain relevant and to be of value to society, which has faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years, mainly due to the social disorder and street violence starting 2019 and the prolonged pandemic thereafter. Now that Hong Kong has been back on the right track, I am truly hopeful of our future developments, with the Government and civil society working together to focus on people’s livelihood, social betterment and economic advancement. It is against this backdrop that SD Advocates will continue to serve as a source of ideas and research, engaging individuals and organisations along the way. In particular, we will strive to focus on the promotion of social harmony and resilience in our economy, community, and ecosystem. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Mr Charles Wong, who has kindly agreed to take the helm as the new Secretary General at this important juncture.

On behalf of SD Advocates, I would also like to put on record a vote of thanks to donors, friends and supporters of SD Advocates for their invaluable advice and unfailing support at different stages, without which we could not have achieved so much, despite our limited resources. In the days ahead, we look forward to collaborating with different sectors of the community and those who share our mission to chart a way forward for Hong Kong’s sustainable development and resilient future.

Prof. Lau Chi Pang, PhD (Washington), JP
Associate Vice-President (Academic Affairs and External Relations), Lingnan University
Professor of History and Co-ordinator of Hong Kong & South China Historical Research Programme, Lingnan University

Organization Structure