The Chinese University yesterday denied giving special treatment to ex-diving star Fu Mingxia, wife of Financial Secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung, in approving her application to study as an associate business studies student. Ms Fu withdrew her application this week citing personal reasons, as reported yesterday by the South China Morning Post. But an anonymous letter sent to Chinese language newspapers on Tuesday had accused the university of affording Ms Fu privileges in enrolling her so quickly. The letter said Ms Fu's application was submitted to the Faculty of Business Administration, whose board members were asked to approve it within 30 hours. Professor Gordon Cheung Wai-hung, director of undergraduate business studies, confirmed an e-mail was sent to board members on September 5 asking them to decide whether to accept Ms Fu's application within 30 hours. It was endorsed by a majority of votes on the 20-member board. Professor Cheung, who handles the programme Ms Fu was applying to join, admitted her application had been submitted later than the July 13 deadline, but stressed it needed both his and the faculty's approval. 'It is not difficult to make a decision within 30 hours. It is also for the benefit of the student if you incline to enrol her so that she could start her term as soon as possible,' he said. University registrar Professor Richard Ho Man-wui said he had been careful in handling the 'sensitive' case. But Democrat legislator Cheung Man-kwong, a member of the university's board, demanded further clarification and threatened to write to the board if none was forthcoming. 'There is no problem for a late application to be approved. However, is there the need to force the members to approve it within 30 hours by e-mail without any reference to her academic results? The university needs to explain if she has been fast-tracked.'
