TYCOON Albert Yeung Sau-shing had been about to meet Chinese President Jiang Zemin when he was arrested for alleged criminal intimidation and false imprisonment last December, Western Court heard yesterday.
The Emperor Group boss was 'very bitter' when the Chinese authorities cancelled the appointment, the magistrate was told.
Businessman Jacky Man Lun-chi, 35, said the arrest had also damaged the career of Chinese Justice Minister Xiao Yang, who had secured Yeung a top university post.
Mr Man said Yeung told him Mr Xiao, who had nominated him as Honourable Professor at the China Politics and Law University in Beijing, was to become Public Security Minister but Chinese authorities postponed the appointment following the arrest.
Yeung, 50, was cleared of both charges in May, when prime prosecution witness Michael Lam Yih-jiun suffered 'memory loss'. Four other prosecution witness also claimed to remember nothing.
Yeung is currently on trial for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of public justice by trying to prevent Mr Lam giving evidence.