I'll take responsibility for Harbour Fest contract, says Henry Tang

Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen yesterday vowed to take responsibility for the controversial contract signed between the government and American Chamber of Commerce chairman James Thompson.

'I have never thought of pushing away the responsibility. Of course I should be responsible, this is the difference between a civil servant and an official under the accountability system,' he said.

Mr Tang pleaded ignorance on Wednesday about the contract, which gives AmCham custodial rights to the festival for five years. It also details how $75 million was advanced to AmCham. A further $25 million has also been paid.

However, Mr Tang backtracked yesterday. 'I said that contract was signed by my predecessor [Antony Leung Kam-chung], but actually it wasn't signed by him. The contract was signed by the director-general of investment promotion, Mike Rowse,' Mr Tang said in Tokyo, where he is attending an investment seminar.

'So I wanted to make things clear, maybe I spoke incorrectly. I was not trying to shirk responsibility. I understand [Harbour Fest] falls under the activities of the Economic Relaunch Working Group,' of which Mr Tang is chairman.

Details of the contract have added to the controversy swirling around the Fest organisers and InvestHK, headed by Mr Rowse - as has the revelation that Mr Thompson and his wife own Red Canvas, the shell company designated to manage the festival.