Tony Kwok

Opinion | How Hong Kong’s anti-corruption expertise can strengthen the global body

The election of the ICAC chief to head the global anti-graft body is an opportunity for Hong Kong to cement its leading role in anti-corruption training, and catalyse a stronger, more cohesive global agency

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ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh meets the press in July 2016. Peh’s election to head the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities is the best response to unfair Western criticism of Hong Kong’s human rights record. Photo: Felix Wong

Tony Kwok

Published: 6:45am, 16 Jan 2022

The welcome news of the election of Hong Kong’s ICAC commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu to head the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), at its general meeting on January 5, could not have come at a better time.

Over the past year, Hong Kong has been unfairly demonised by Western powers and the media over alleged human rights transgressions in the city. Yet an international body consisting of more than 140 country and regional representatives has seen fit to elect the head of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to lead the global anti-corruption fight.

Peh would not have been chosen if Hong Kong was not a fair society with human rights. This is the best answer to the malicious bashing.

As a Hongkonger taking on a high-profile international role, Peh is following in the footsteps of Dr Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, who headed the World Health Organization from 2006 to 2017. With the central government’s support, more capable people from Hong Kong will no doubt be appointed to key positions in international organisations, an outcome unimaginable in the British colonial era.

Peh’s presidency at the IAACA is also a timely gift to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty this year. It demonstrates that the ICAC remains highly regarded in the world.

Margaret Chan, former director general of the WHO, attends a seminar in Shenzhen in August 2019. Chan headed the WHO from 2006 to 2017. Photo: Winson Wong

The ICAC was among the first organisations to recognise the importance of international cooperation in combating corruption. It hosted the first ICAC Symposium in 2000, bringing together anti-corruption agencies from different jurisdictions, and during which the idea of setting up an international association for such agencies was mooted.