HK corruption fighter under spotlight

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Hong Kong told the Global Times Thursday that it will restrict how much it spends wining and dining officials from the mainland, after reportedly exceeded its own standards.

Hong Kong media reported Wednesday that the ICAC in 2010 spent an average of HK$1,100 ($142) per person hosting officials from the mainland, which is double what its regulations permit.

Along with banquets and other expenses, former ICAC chief Timothy Tong also presented 1,400 gifts worth HK$219,000 to central government officials and 24 of the gifts exceeded the HK$800 allowable limit, Nandu Daily reported, quoting documents the ICAC submitted to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,

In November 2010, ICAC treated central government officials to a banquet in a local five-star hotel, costing HK$1,100 per head. Tong attended the banquet and said that more than 20 bottles of famous Chinese and foreign liquor including Moutai and XO were served at the banquet and paid for by the ICAC, Nandu Daily reported.

The ICAC documents show the gifts and hosting expenses were approved by Tong, Nandu Daily reported. "Expenses are allowed to exceed standards as long as they are approved by our chief," the ICAC spokesman surnamed Tam told the Global Times.

However, some legislators argued the ICAC violated regulations by hosting a banquet with more than 20 bottles of expensive liquor, and expected the audit authority to investigate the case, the Nandu Daily report said. The Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that clean government is Hong Kong's core value and anti-graft efforts are very important.

The banquet expenditures did not violate regulations, said current ICAC chief Simon PEH Yun-lu in an e-mail to the Global Times.

According to ICAC regulations, if at least two ICAC staffers are invited to attend an official activity, they can present gifts valued at less than HK$800.

ICAC staffers are also only allowed host lunches costing less than HK$350 per person and dinners must cost less than HK$450 per person, according to the Nandu Daily.

PEH's e-mail to the Global Times said ICAC has no specific regulations for gift giving and its chief can decide what gifts should be offered to different visitors on different occasions. The e-mail also indicated the ICAC will communicate with relevant institutions in advance of their meeting and suggest neither offer a gift to the other, in a bid to reduce expenses and consumption.