A suggestion by the ICAC Commissioner that civil servants be given guidelines requiring them to declare business interests in China was rejected yesterday.
The Deputy Secretary for Civil Service, Patrick Lau Lai-chiu, said the Government had issued a notice to that effect earlier this year.
Mr Lau said: 'Power has already been delegated to department heads allowing them to decide in the light of their circumstances.
'They can demand officials in particular posts declare their interests in China if there is a need.' Michael Leung Man-kin, head of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, said on Tuesday that civil servants, particularly law enforcement officers, should make public their business interests in China.
Mr Leung said this would make it easier for the ICAC to monitor the situation.
He said problems often arose as a result of police officers owning property or businesses in China.