In this case Mr Henry Tang's wife sacrificed - it is all her fault - he just wanted to protect her ...what a nice husband is that ...isn't it. Story here - and honestly speaking who wants that kind of guy to be the next CE of Hong Kong ?
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Wine-Lover Tang Probed in Race for Hong Kong’s Top Job
Hong Kong chief executive hopeful Henry Tang is facing the biggest setback yet in his bid for the city’s top job following reports this week of major illegal modifications at his family home, spurring a media frenzy for more details even as he works hard to boost poll ratings a month before the elections.A handful of mobile cranes on Thursday squeezed into a narrow street in the upscale Kowloon Tong neighborhood, lifting photographers and television crews for a bird’s eye view of the house, while other journalists climbed the stone walls for a better look inside. The highly unusual (and chaotic) scene underscores the level of public interest in Mr. Tang, who some academics and China watchers say is Beijing’s preferred candidate for Hong Kong’s next leader.
Television footage showed two glass panels at the bottom of the swimming pool, indicating the presence of a basement, which isn’t in the approved building plans for the house. A tabloid newspaper late Wednesday published a floorplan that purports to show a 2,400 square foot basement for the house featuring a large wine cellar, multipurpose theater and even a Japanese-style bath. It is worth noting that Mr. Tang is best known for his love of fine wines and a large wine collection. Though the government has said that officials had earlier inspected the property to find no illegal works, it plans to make follow-up checks on Thursday.
Mr. Tang, Hong Kong’s former number 2 official, has so far downplayed the reports, saying earlier that a storeroom was built beneath the swimming pool. He said late Wednesday he had “no recollection of seeing any floorplans” for the basement in reference to the tabloid article, and explained that his family members, not him, have been in charge of building the house, which was completed in 2007. Mr. Tang claims his family has not yet moved into the home, but he said he would consider allowing reporters to enter the house after the city’s building authorities inspect the property on Thursday.
Mr. Tang’s spokesman said Thursday he had no further comment until the government inspections are over.
The developments threaten to derail the 59-year-old’s campaign. The son of a successful textiles businessman, Mr. Tang continues to trail behind his opponent, former senior government advisor C.Y. Leung,in opinion poll ratings. Though the city’s leader is chosen only by a 1,200-member committee consisting mainly of people backed by Chinese authorities, public opinion nonetheless plays an important role in influencing China’s decisions for the city, given a population prone to frequent protests. The city has been promised popular elections for chief executive from 2017. Both Messrs Tang and Leung have long been groomed by China to eventually lead Hong Kong, so analysts say either candidate could ultimately get the central government’s blessing.
What is more, the leader of Hong Kong’s pro-business and Beijing-friendly Liberal Party, which has been giving its full support to Mr. Tang, said Thursday the party could reconsider its backing for the candidate amid this “credibility issue.”
Mr. Tang has for months been trying to build up support after admitting in October to having “flaws” in his married life, just weeks before he officially announced his candidacy. “I am very grateful for my wife’s understanding and forgiveness,” the father of four said at the time in a joint statement with his wife of 27 years.
To be sure, the problems involving illegal structures and modifications in Hong Kong are widespread, given high land prices and cumbersome regulations to make structural changes. A number of senior officials and tycoons have in recent months been found to have illegal building works, though the punishments for such infractions are light under current laws. The government has pledged to beef up oversight of such building works.
As such, Mr. Tang may just be required to demolish the structure and won’t likely face further legal troubles, but this will no doubt cast a shadow on his campaign, and his hopes to become Hong Kong’s next leader.
– Jeffrey Ng
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