Technological advancement has brought along a brand new business model. In the recent years, sharing economy platforms such as Airbnb and Uber have become more and more popular all over the world. While giving rise to unlicensed accommodation and illegal car hire service, the phenomenon has also caused unfair competition to those licensed operators and the lack of protection for consumers. To address these concerns, I have repeatedly requested the Government to clarify the legal requirements for using sharing economy platforms and to strictly regulate sharing economy platforms that involve illegal commercial activities. In particular, the Government needs to strive to combat unlicensed accommodation and illegal car hire services, in order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of licensed hotels, guesthouses, and hire car permits holders.

       On 7 June, 2017, I raised an oral question in the LegCo meeting and strongly requested the Government to strengthen the monitoring of sharing economy platforms such as Airbnb and Uber.

       Oral question in LegCo meeting –Regulation of sharing economy platforms involving illegal commercial activities（Click the link for more information）

 

5 July, 2016, I proposed amendment to the Members' Motion "Reforming outdated legislation and promoting the development of innovation and technology" urging the Government to review outdated legislation on the premise of maintaining a balance between the interests of stakeholders and the protection of consumer rights and interests.

Council meeting Speech: "Reforming outdated legislation and promoting the development of innovation and technology"

 

28 June 2016, I questioned the government on the number of inspections, number of prosecutions, number of convictions together with the number of the punishments imposed on the convicted persons regarding on the unlicensed guesthouse. The reply is as follows:

Written question in LegCo meeting —Measures to combat operation of hotels and guesthouses without a license（Click the link for more information）

It can be seen from the number, as the prosecution rate is relatively low, deterrence effect is inadequate because of the small number of prosecutions and minor punishment. I will continue to follow up on this issue, urge the government amend the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance and add circumstantial evidence in the Ordinance to facilitate the prosecution of the unlicensed guesthouse.

 

20 October, 2016 – My column article " Sharing economy, the gray area of law "on Oriental Daily News

Banners displayed in various districts urge the government to crack down the unlicensed guesthouse.