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Hong Kong chief in hot water over fish pond

A plan by the Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (曾蔭權) to build a US$40,000 fish pond as part of a facelift of the historic home allocated to the city's leaders drew public anger Thursday.

Tsang is reported to have insisted on the pond for Government House soon after China appointed him chief executive last month.

The pond is part of a part US$1.85 million renovation plan for the listed building, which has not been occupied since the last British colonial ruler, Chris Patten, vacated it in 1997 when the territory's sovereignty reverted to China.

The renovation proposal met with strong opposition from lawmaker Emily Lau (劉慧卿), who heads a powerful legislative committee on public finance.

"It's scandalous, none of these figures have been presented to legislators for approval," said Lau, a veteran firebrand opponent of government policy.

"And that much money for a fish pond? It's a lot isn't it," she said. "I know there are many people calling for Tsang to pay for the pond himself," she said.

Lau said the proposal was steamrolled through while legislators were on their summer break.

Without a chance to debate the matter openly in the legislature, she has threatened instead to take officials to task on public access channel, Interactive TV.

Tsang is a keen fish fancier and has a valuable collection of koi carp, a traditional Oriental ornamental fish.

The mansion in the heart of the territory's downtown civic centre was the home of all British-monarch-appointed colonial governors since it was built in 1855.

In a letter to lawmakers, the government insists the work is vital as the house was last renovated in 1993.

"It badly needs modern security and telephone and Internet facilities," said a spokeswoman for the chief executive.
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