Li Peng faces payout-ruling suit

A Hong Kong businessman detained on the mainland after being wrongly accused of gold smuggling more than a decade ago is to sue National People's Congress Chairman Li Peng.

Choi Chi-ming, 66, was jailed for four months between March 18 and July 1, 1989, after being accused of smuggling $3 million worth of gold ornaments from Hong Kong to Wuhan, Hubei.

He was freed on bail after paying about 200,000 yuan (HK$182,000), but was kept on the mainland until the Supreme People's Court in Beijing ruled he was not guilty in 1993.

Since returning to Hong Kong that year, the former PLA soldier has been trying to win compensation from the Wuhan Police Security Bureau. He had no success until May 1998, when his case was brought to the attention of the NPC Standing Committee plenary session. It ruled he should be compensated but no money has been forthcoming.

Mr Choi said yesterday he planned to sue Mr Li as he was the NPC Chairman and had failed to carry out its ruling.