Hong Kong Property Billionaires Charged With Fraud
Thomas and Raymond Kwok, the billionaire co-chairmen of Asia's largest developer Sun Hung Kai Properties, and Rafael Hui, Hong Kong's former No.2 public official, appeared at a Hong Kong court today to hear formal corruption charges against them.
This is Hong Kong's biggest corruption case in 40 years. The charges come after investigations between government officials and the city's tycoons. That has touched a nerve with angry citizens who are concerned at the wide spread corruption between a leading public figure and the two billionaire property developers.
After attending the one hour hearing where they were both formally charged, the youngest brother Raymond Kwok talked to a waiting press corp, saying in Cantonese, that he had done nothing wrong
"I firmly believe I haven't done anything wrong. The Hong Kong judicial system is very fair. I will do my best to defend myself against these accusations. My goal is to prove my innocence. Thank you."
Three others have also been charged in the Sun Hung Kai case. Thomas Chan, the Sun Hung Kai board member in charge of land purchases, Francis Kwan, a former banker and a former chief operation officer of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange. Thomas Kwok's lawyer declined to comment while lawyers representing the other four could not immediately be reached for comment.
Written and Presented by Ann Salter