Hong Kong police dismiss media accusations of inaction by their chief over unauthorised building works
- Force says allegations against police commissioner Chris Tang concerning unauthorised works at a flat he rented in 2016 are ‘unfounded’
- A newspaper report earlier accused Tang of turning a blind eye to the illegal structures
Hong Kong police have dismissed as “unfounded” accusations in a media report that the commissioner had not taken any action against unauthorised building works at a flat he had rented in 2016. In a statement on Monday, the force said the report “deviates from facts”.
Police were responding to a report by Chinese-language newspaper Apple Daily that accused commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung of turning a blind eye to illegal structures on the rooftop of a flat in Kowloon Tong when he was a tenant there.
The illegal structures reportedly covered about 400 sq ft.
The police statement confirmed Tang had rented the flat in question at Boland Court, Broadcast Drive, in 2016 and was made aware of the unauthorised works after receiving notification from the Buildings Department the following year.
“Mr Tang immediately informed the owner … and requested him to handle it,” the police statement said. But it claimed the owner did not take any action. “Mr Tang hence moved out of the home in June 2019,” it said.
Land and company registry documents showed that the flat belonged to Dupont Company Limited, solely owned by Hong Kong businessman Philip Hou Ching-chung. Hou could not be reached for comment.
