The head of Hong Kongโs Tianjin liaison office has posted online about having received alleged perks, including a private ferry cabin and a five-star hotel suite upgrade, prompting calls for an investigation into a potential conflict of interest.
Authorities said on Wednesday that the hotel upgrade costs did not involve public funds, adding that an investigation into the private ferry cabin incident was under way. They also vowed to take serious action if any violations were discovered.
Ricky Cheng Chun-sang, director of the governmentโs Tianjin Liaison Unit under the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, had shared photos and selfies on the social media platform Threads allegedly showcasing such offers.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of the governmentโs key decision-making Executive Council, on Tuesday described Chengโs alleged behaviour as โhighly indiscreetโ and urged the Civil Service Bureau to look into the matter.
While the online posts were no longer available, screenshots of Chengโs posts showed that he had thanked a senior executive at the cityโs leading high-speed ferry operator, TurboJet, for arranging a private cabin for his journey between Hong Kong and Macau.
One image showed Cheng in a spacious cabin furnished with sofas and a television.