HONG KONG (Feb 17): Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang, the highest-ranking ex-official to be charged in the city's history, was convicted on Friday of misconduct in public office. His conviction adds to a number of scandals ensnaring powerful officials that have marred Hong Kong's reputation as a relatively corruption-free society, while posing a challenge for China's leaders who have strived to maintain stability in Hong Kong since it reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Tsang, 72, had pleaded not guilty to one count of accepting an advantage and two counts of misconduct in public office between 2010 and 2012. Friday's verdict followed six weeks of testimony from witnesses including Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's former chief secretary who is in the running for the city's leadership election next month. A devout Catholic, Tsang was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his distinguished public service under the British colonial administration before 1997.

Source: The Edge Markets February 17, 2017 15:33 UTC