CPPCC member appeals for better social responsibility

A national political adviser suggested the government should emphasize and encourage family businesses in China to further undertake social responsibility for long-term development.

The government should come up with a platform to promote and share experiences of family businesses taking on social responsibility, which can also help the government further understand the current situation, said Sammy W.S. Lee, a member of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

"Despite the country's growing emphasis on the family firms, it's still necessary to attach weight to the healthy development of family businesses during policymaking, considering its unique and irreplaceable role," Lee said.

Lee is also chairman of Hong Kong-based Lee Kum Kee, a food company set up in 1888 by Lee's great-grandfather to manufacture oyster-flavored sauce.

According to Lee, a lot of family businesses have a lack of understanding over the social responsibility, while focusing only on the self and short-term interest, which leads to an undesirable reputation in society.

The social responsibilities of some enterprises are based on the personal preferences of business leaders, he added.

According to Lee, after some 30 years of development, family businesses in the country now account for a massive percentage of private economic production, and contribute greatly to GDP and job creation.

However, many of them, mostly small- and medium-sized corporations, are still at an initial stage of growth, he said.

Lee has submitted proposals on the social responsibility of family firms for seven years to the CPPCC.