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| Donald Tsang (screenshot) |
China's politics have caught on in Hong Kong
NTD reporters Lin Xiuyi, Tang Rui and Zhu Di
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Donald Tsang faces a criminal investigation and possible impeachment due to his being implicated in a corruption scandal. Several parties had reportedly filed complaints against him to Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Several of these informants recently received notification that an inquiry is under way. This is the first time the territory's top leader has been placed under investigation.
Tsang's political sensitivity is not very sharp as he was not able to steer clear of suspicion. Hong Kong's media outlets reported that Tsang enjoyed luxurious treatment, such as trips on yachts and private jets, as well as staying in luxury suites suspected as being provided by a wealthy business man.
The luxury penthouse leased by Donald Tsang was located in Donghai Garden in Shenzhen. Occupying about 10,000 square feet, the suite's market value is RMB 50 million, the rent is estimated to be RMB 150,000 per month. The property owner is Wong Cho-bau, a real estate developer in Shenzhen. Wong is also a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controlled Political Consultative Conference and a major shareholder of Digital Broadcasting Corp. in Hong Kong.
A person with inside knowledge of ICAC's investigation relayed the key concern of the case: whether the Shenzhen penthouse occupied by Donald Tsang was obtained as a result of the broadcast licenses that were issued by the government. If Tsang accepted these favors as bribes, the civil servant may face a bribery charge under the provision of common law.
Tsai Yung-Mei, executive editor of Hong Kong's Open magazine, suggests that corruption has made its way into Hong Kong as a result of erosion by the CCP's political culture. “The UK left Hong Kong an excellent heritage of which we Hong Kong people also felt proud, but now, we've seen it eroded by the CCP officialdom.”
However Tsai Yung-Mei still believes in the positive role that the legislative council plays. “Hong Kong's judiciary is still independent. Secondly, Hong Kong still has freedom of the press. After the 1997 taking over by China, this freedom has been eroded heavily. Major Hong Kong media outlets have seen increasing penetration from mainland China, but the essential freedom of the press still remains. A lot of inside stories can still be made public by publication in newspapers or exposure by news media."
Other observers agree with Tsai Yung-Mei that this scandal is likely due to the corrupt culture that has been inherited by the CCP. Since there are no checks and balances on power, it naturally gives rise to corruption. Tsai Yung-Mei adds that Hong Kong is still distinct from China. In China the judiciary is not independent and there is no freedom of speech, nor freedom of the press. The CCP is a totalitarian regime, says Tsai Yung-Mei, with all the power concentrated in the hands of the CCP.
Tsang's intricate relationship with the business elite has triggered public outcry. An "anti-Mr. Tsang” Facebook group continues to grow. Tsang was condemned by Hong Koqin Yongmin, a Chinese Democracy activist, "Hong Kong has a high degree of civil liberties. It's not hard for people to perceive and disclose such a scandal of the chief executive. The mainland Chinese people still hope to gain such rights to investigate, watchdog and depose the heads of state."
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大家都来看”九评共产党” ( VCD, 书)!
Let’s find “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party”(VCD, books)!
快上大纪元声明退出共产党和共产党其它组织(/团/队)，抹去邪恶的印记!
Quit the Evil Chinese Communist Party or its affiliated organizations today!
