CY phoned Beijing to clear stamp duty policy
DAB chairman's revelation that CY telephoned Beijing to clear a new stamp duty last October sparks fears over the mainland's influence
The influence of mainland authorities on Hong Kong policy has been thrown under the spotlight by the exposure of a sensitive phone call, which Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has refused to acknowledge.
The call was made by Leung to Wang Guangya, the director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, a few hours before a new stamp duty aimed at non-local homebuyers - mainlanders included - came into force last October.
The revelation raised concerns among scholars and pan-democrats that the two governments were collaborating too much on policy matters.
Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, confirmed yesterday that Wang had talked about the call when meeting pro-establishment lawmakers during a meeting in Shenzhen on Sunday.
Wang was reported to have said the Chinese Ministry of Commerce should have also been consulted, but told Leung to "go ahead" anyway, reassuring the chief executive that he would shoulder any consequences.
The chief executive's office said Leung had "no comment" on the report.
Transport and Housing Minister Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung also declined to comment.