Chief Executive Donald Tsang meets local media on Wednesday. Provided to China Daily

"Over the past seven years as Chief Executive, I accepted two invitations to depart Hong Kong by private yachts. One of them was the trip last week, to Macao. I also accepted two offers to leave the city by private jets. My trip to Phuket earlier this month was one of them. But I paid my transport costs myself," said Tsang.

"When it comes to such invitations, I always have a principle. That is, before I accept them, I will see if there is any possible conflict of interest. In fact, I have always insisted that I reimburse my expense even if I take such offers," added Tsang.

Oriental Daily, a local newspaper, on Tuesday published a front page report on Tsang's trip to Macao with his wife Selina Tsang Pau Siu-mei. The following day, the newspaper published another front page story about the couple's four-day-trip to Thailand on a private jet, owned by tycoon Cheung Chung-kiu. Both trips prompted allegations that the Chief Executive may have been involved in a conflict of interest.

To clarify further what he did on the private yacht, Tsang said he had only a simple breakfast, including fruits, pork bone porridge and fried noodles. There was also no gambling, performances or singing karaoke as the report alleged, added Tsang. The yacht actually was not so luxurious as well, said Tsang.

Tsang also rebutted the accusation that he had plotted to replace his predecessor, Tung Chee-hwa, as the vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference when he retired.

"Mr Tung is one of the people I respect very much. I respect what he has done for Hong Kong as the first Chief Executive. What the newspaper wrote, that I want to take his post was nonsense," averred Tsang.

Tsang said he hadn't mentioned Tung or even his plan after retirement in conversations on the yacht as the newspaper had stated. He said all the discussions were of a general nature.

Tsang gave clear emphasis that he would not be involved in any business activity after he retires from the top post.

"I have no ambition about my official career in my retirement life. I plan to stay on the mainland for a while after my term is over. My wife has already rented a flat in Futian, Shenzhen, for future use," said Tsang.

"But after all I am a Hong Kong person. I will come back," stressed Tsang.

Lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung defended Tsang, saying after hearing Tsang's explanation on air, he believed Tsang had announced his trips according to the established procedures and that he had also paid the bill.

"If there are any new problems to emerge later, then, Tsang needs to make it clear to the public and lawmakers," said Lam.

stushadow@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 02/23/2012 page1)