Hong Kong’s chief secretary says John Tsang probe ‘purely procedural’

Row intensifies over John Tsang’s failure to declare his work on an RTHK television programme

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Chief Executive candidate John Tsang Chun-wah attends a radio programme at RTHK in Kowloon Tong. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 8:00pm, 22 Oct 2017Updated: 3:29pm, 23 Oct 2017

Hong Kong’s No 2 official denied allegations that the government is targeting former financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah by demanding that he provide information regarding his failure to declare his participation in a TV programme.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said the government was only seeking factual information from Tsang to ensure the work he did as a former office holderwas appropriate – a move he described as “purely procedural”.

The political row between Tsang, a failed chief executive candidate, and the government erupted over the weekend after the former financial secretary revealed RTHK, the city’s public broadcaster, had suspended promotion of a TV series hosted by him because he did not notify the government advisory committee about the filming.

Tsang insisted such a declaration was unnecessary as he was neither paid nor employed by any organisations. Critics accused the government of double standards as former chief executive Leung Chun-ying previously failed to declare his appointment as a director at two companies until a media exposé highlighted the issue.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung. Photo: Felix Wong

“People should not have an incorrect impression that [the government] is giving favourable treatment to Mr Leung while oppressing Mr Tsang,” said Cheung on Sunday.

“This is definitely a misunderstanding … as Leung has been completely cooperative. He has provided whatever information we have requested.”