Two Hong Kong property tycoons have gone on trial for allegedly bribing a top government official, in the biggest corruption case in the Chinese territory.
Brothers Thomas Kwok and Raymond Kwok, co-chairmen of Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of the world’s largest real estate groups, are accused of providing cash, loans and the free use of two apartments to Rafael Hui, the former chief secretary in the Hong Kong government.
The Kwok brothers, Mr Hui and two other co-defendants arrived in court yesterday for the first day of a trial that is expected to last more than two months. Mr Hui, who is accused of accepting HK$34m ($4.4m) in financial inducements, faces eight charges including “misconduct in public office” and providing false information. The Kwok brothers both pleaded not guilty as did Mr Hui and the other two men.