Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang steps out of shadows to join 300-strong delegation to Beijing military parade

Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, tycoons, moderate pan-democrats and anti-Occupy Central activists are among guests from the city invited to the military parade in Beijing on Thursday to mark 70 years since Japan’s surrender in the second world war.

Tsang has avoided public events, such as the annual handover anniversary reception on July 1, since he was investigated in 2012 for allegedly accepting favours from tycoon friends while in office. But he raised eyebrows by accepting the invitation this time, alongside his wife Selina Tsang Pou Siu-mei, to attend the parade on a specially designated public holiday.

Among the 287-strong Hong Kong delegation, led by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, are Richard Li Tzar-kai, son of the city’s richest man Li Ka-shing, Sun Hung Kai Properties chairman Raymond Kwok Ping-luen, Lau Ming-wai, chairman and CEO of Chinese Estates Holdings and Sino Group executive director Daryl Ng Win-kong.

Ronny Tong Ka-wah, who earlier quit the Civic Party and resigned from the legislature, alongside independent lawmaker Dr Joseph Lee Kok-long and Democrat Tik Chi-yuen are the few pan-democrats who will attend the parade.

Vice-chancellors of the city’s universities are also on the list, including Chinese University’s Dr Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, University of Science and Technology Professor Tony Chan Fan-cheong, City University Professor Kuo Way, Lingnan University Professor Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon, and Professor Roland Chin Tai-hong, the new head of Baptist University.