Hong Kong to review rules of conduct on tycoons' gifts to officials

Feb 26, 2012, 5:34 GMT

Hong Kong - Hong Kong's leader Sunday announced a review of rules of official conduct after he admitted taking trips on private jets and luxury yachts paid for by tycoons.

Chief executive Donald Tsang said he may have 'fallen short' of public expectations by accepting the hospitality of business leaders, but insisted he had not broken existing rules.

Tsang announced an independent panel headed by former chief justice Andrew Li to review rules of public sector conduct.

Tsang admitted having taken four private jet and luxury yacht trips funded by tycoons, including holidays in Macau, Japan and Phuket in Thailand.

He also acknowledged a lease on a penthouse home in Shenzhen, southern China, owned by a mainland telecoms tycoon at what critics described as bargain rent. Tsang intends to live there after he steps down as chief executive in June.

Tsang, 67, denied accusations of bribery and conflict of interest but said it had taught him a 'painful lesson.'

'I have been hurt and at times frustrated by the questions about my actions and integrity,' he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Morning Post.

'These reports have allowed me to better understand public expectations and where I may have fallen short,' he said. 'We need to be whiter than white.'

The controversy over Tsang's holidays emerged days after Henry Tang, frontrunner to succeed him in March, admitted to building an unauthorized basement and wine cellar at his home.

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