Hong Kong can control corruption -- for now

Subject

Impact of misconduct charges against Hong Kong's former chief executive.

Significance

Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's chief executive (the territory's highest political official) from 2005 to 2012, was charged on October 5 with two counts of misconduct in public office. He is the most senior Hong Kong serving or former official to be charged with corruption. The charges arrive less than a year after the conviction of his former deputy, Raphael Hui, on similar charges.

Impacts

• The corruption charges against Tsang will bolster public criticism of the relationship between top officials and the business community.
• There is a risk of mainland practices of influence-peddling creeping into Hong Kong along with closer commercial and administrative ties.
• Mainland interference in routine legal matters is unlikely before the expiration of Hong Kong's Basic Law in 2047.