Hong Kong Communications Authority chairman quits after failing to disclose China Mobile shares
‘This is the best way to preserve the credibility of the Communications Authority,’ says Huen Wong, admitting that even holding ‘a single share’ in a related company should be disclosed
The chairman of the Hong Kong Communications Authority has stepped down from his post after failing to disclose shares he bought, which included China Mobile stock.
Huen Wong said he had failed to declare an interest after a “portfolio of shares was purchased under [his] name” two years before he assumed his role.
In a statement on Monday, Wong, a former president of Hong Kong’s Law Society, said he had submitted his resignation to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Friday, with immediate effect.
“Due to my oversight, I did not make a timely declaration in accordance with the requirements,” he said in the statement.
He said his “inadvertent” omission had not affected the work of the Communications Authority, nor had it resulted in any conflict of interest. “However, it is incumbent upon me to adhere strictly to the requirement,” he added.
I think this is a very regrettable and unfortunate incident. It could well undermine people’s perception toward the work the Communications Authority has been doing
A separate statement, on the government’s website, said Lam had accepted Wong’s resignation and that a replacement would be sought.