Christine Loh
Encyclopedia
Dr. Christine Loh Kung-wai , JP, OBE, born February 1, 1956) is a former Hong Kong
Legislator and founder of the Citizens Party
and Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor
.
Christine Loh is currently the CEO of Civic Exchange
, a Hong Kong think tank
which she co-founded in 2000. In January 2007 she was named Hong Kong Business "Woman of the Year for 2006". She has worked in many areas, including law
, business
, politics
, media
and the non-profit sector, but is best known as a leading voice in public policy in Hong Kong, particularly in promoting democracy and environmental protection. In recent years she has also been strongly associated with the campaign to save Hong Kong's Harbour from excessive land reclamation and overdevelopment.
in Causeway Bay, and later Island School
in Midlevels, Hong Kong. She then went to Bedford High School in the UK. Later on she attended the University of Hull
, City University of Hong Kong
(Masters of Law in Chinese & Comparative Law) and the University of Hull
(Doctor of Law, honoris causa) and was trained as a lawyer but she worked for 12 years as a commodities trader (1980–1991), rising to become managing director and later director of business development. Ms. Loh spent fourteen years in the commercial world, holding top regional posts in commodities trading at Philipp Brothers and Phibro Energy — the physical commodities trading arms of U.S. multinational Salomon, Inc. (now Citicorp) — before joining a Hong Kong company (CIM Co. Ltd.) to head their special projects division between 1992 and 1994. In April 2006, she was elected by shareholders of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) to be a director of the company.
(LegCo) in 1992. In 1995 and 1998 she ran in two direct elections and won by a large margin. She was responsible for creating the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and sponsoring the historic Protection of the Harbour Ordinance
. While part of the democratic camp in LegCo, she took a less confrontational approach than some of its members, preferring to keep open lines of communication with the so-called pro-China camp.
In 2000, she and Lisa Hopkinson co-founded a Hong Kong
-based non-profit think tank
, Civic Exchange
, and once again entered the political spotlight, but outside of the LegCo.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
Legislator and founder of the Citizens Party
Citizens Party (Hong Kong)
Citizens Party is a small pro-democracy political party in the Hong Kong. It was founded by Christine Loh Kung-wai in May 1997. Since 2005, the party has been headed by Doctor Joe Wong....
and Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor
Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor
Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor is a local non-governmental organization which was established in April 1995. It aims at promoting better human rights protection in Hong Kong in the aspect of legislation and people's everyday life....
.
Christine Loh is currently the CEO of Civic Exchange
Civic Exchange
Civic Exchange is a Hong Kong-based, non-partisan public policy think tank and registered charity. It was founded by former Legislative Council of Hong Kong member Christine Loh , and environmental researcher Lisa Hopkinson ....
, a Hong Kong think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
which she co-founded in 2000. In January 2007 she was named Hong Kong Business "Woman of the Year for 2006". She has worked in many areas, including law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
and the non-profit sector, but is best known as a leading voice in public policy in Hong Kong, particularly in promoting democracy and environmental protection. In recent years she has also been strongly associated with the campaign to save Hong Kong's Harbour from excessive land reclamation and overdevelopment.
Education and professional career
Loh attended St. Paul's Convent SchoolSt. Paul's Convent School
St Paul's Convent SchoolSchool BadgeHeadmistressesSr. Joanna Marie Cheung Sr. Margaret Wong School typePrivate, Girls' School, DSSReligious affiliationCatholicFounded1854Location...
in Causeway Bay, and later Island School
Island School
Island School is a co-educational non-profit international school in Hong Kong. The campus is situated in the Mid-Levels district of Hong Kong on 20 Borrett Road...
in Midlevels, Hong Kong. She then went to Bedford High School in the UK. Later on she attended the University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
, City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong is a comprehensive research university in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1984 as City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and became a fully accredited university in 1994. It has achieved fast growth in recent years and received international recognition for its academic achievements...
(Masters of Law in Chinese & Comparative Law) and the University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
(Doctor of Law, honoris causa) and was trained as a lawyer but she worked for 12 years as a commodities trader (1980–1991), rising to become managing director and later director of business development. Ms. Loh spent fourteen years in the commercial world, holding top regional posts in commodities trading at Philipp Brothers and Phibro Energy — the physical commodities trading arms of U.S. multinational Salomon, Inc. (now Citicorp) — before joining a Hong Kong company (CIM Co. Ltd.) to head their special projects division between 1992 and 1994. In April 2006, she was elected by shareholders of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) to be a director of the company.
Political career
Christine Loh was appointed to the Legislative CouncilLegislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
(LegCo) in 1992. In 1995 and 1998 she ran in two direct elections and won by a large margin. She was responsible for creating the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and sponsoring the historic Protection of the Harbour Ordinance
Protection of the Harbour Ordinance
The Protection of the Harbour Ordinance, Cap. 531, is an ordinance in the Hong Kong Law that aims to limit land reclamation in Victoria Harbour.-Content:The ordinance states, in section 3, that:...
. While part of the democratic camp in LegCo, she took a less confrontational approach than some of its members, preferring to keep open lines of communication with the so-called pro-China camp.
In 2000, she and Lisa Hopkinson co-founded a Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
-based non-profit think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, Civic Exchange
Civic Exchange
Civic Exchange is a Hong Kong-based, non-partisan public policy think tank and registered charity. It was founded by former Legislative Council of Hong Kong member Christine Loh , and environmental researcher Lisa Hopkinson ....
, and once again entered the political spotlight, but outside of the LegCo.
Other activities
Beginning in 1991, Loh was a host of a public affairs radio programme and a variety of TV programmes.Affiliations
- Chief Executive, Civic ExchangeCivic ExchangeCivic Exchange is a Hong Kong-based, non-partisan public policy think tank and registered charity. It was founded by former Legislative Council of Hong Kong member Christine Loh , and environmental researcher Lisa Hopkinson ....
, 2000–present - Chairperson, Hong Kong Observers Ltd., 1980s
- Chairperson, Friends of the EarthFriends of the EarthFriends of the Earth International is an international network of environmental organizations in 76 countries.FOEI is assisted by a small secretariat which provides support for the network and its agreed major campaigns...
(HK), 1991–1992; 1993–1994 - Chairperson, Citizens PartyCitizens Party (Hong Kong)Citizens Party is a small pro-democracy political party in the Hong Kong. It was founded by Christine Loh Kung-wai in May 1997. Since 2005, the party has been headed by Doctor Joe Wong....
(HK), 1997–2000 - Chairperson, Society for Protection of the HarbourSociety for Protection of the HarbourSociety for Protection of the Harbour is a Hong-Kong-based organization founded in November, 1995. It is a charitable, non-political and non-profit making green group. The objectives of the organization are to protect the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong from destruction caused by Government’s...
, 2003-200? - Council Member, Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong Kong University of Science and TechnologyThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Hong Kong. Established in 1991 under Hong Kong Law Chapter 1141 , it is one of the nine universities in Hong Kong.Professor Tony F. Chan is the president of HKUST...
, 1999–2005 - Honorary Research Fellow, Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management, University of Hong Kong, 2001–2005
- Member, Advisory Committee, Securities and Futures Commission, 2001–2005
- Board Member, Community Business Advisory Member, International Advisor, Asia Society, USAAsia SocietyThe Asia Society is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating the world about Asia. It has several centers in the United States and around the world Hong Kong, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, and Melbourne...
- Co-Chair, Human Rights in China, since 2005
Awards
- Woman of the Year (http://www.hkgbusiness.com/) - 2006
- Outstanding Young Person’s Award 1988
- Communicator of the Year, 1994
- Stars of Asia, BusinessweekBusinessWeekBloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
, 1998 - Stars of Asia, BusinessweekBusinessWeekBloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
, 2000 - Entrepreneur of the Year (Women of Influence Award 2003)
External links
- http://www.civic-exchange.org/eng/about_who_we_are_cloh.aspxChristine Loh's profile at Civic ExchangeCivic ExchangeCivic Exchange is a Hong Kong-based, non-partisan public policy think tank and registered charity. It was founded by former Legislative Council of Hong Kong member Christine Loh , and environmental researcher Lisa Hopkinson ....
] - bio at rocky Mountain Institute