Letter alleging abuse prompts review of travel procedures

The chief executive has asked all his top officials and staff in government-supported bodies to review procedures regarding expenses for business trips after an anonymous letter accused the commissioner of a government-owned agency of abuse.

The letter said Cheung Kam-kay, former commissioner of the Export Credit Insurance Corporation, had visited Dongguan more than 40 times a year, purportedly for business matters, but it was alleged the meetings were held in entertainment establishments.

Mr Cheung resigned on July 11, a day after the government received the letter, and the matter has been referred to law-enforcement agencies.

Speaking in Anshan , Liaoning province , while on an eight-day business trip to the northeastern provinces, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said: 'I have already, through the chief secretary, [relayed a message] to the bureau heads, permanent secretaries and other relevant staff and departments and government-supported bodies to conduct a review.'

He stressed that existing procedures were effective. 'All government internal staff, from the most senior to the most junior, and in all government-supported bodies ... must obtain approval before taking business trips. They cannot approve themselves. This is the set principle.'

He acknowledged the severity of the allegation, and said the government was very concerned over the matter, but because the case had been referred to law-enforcement authorities, he said it would be inappropriate to comment further.