CityU Professor Sentenced for Bribery Attempt in Hong Kong

Du Du, a 48-year-old associate professor at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), has been sentenced to 4½ months in prison for attempting to bribe a property agent with HK$1,000 (approximately US$128). The case arose from Du's efforts to avoid a HK$16,000 penalty for breaching a tenancy agreement. The magistrate dismissed Du's defense, which claimed that the incident stemmed from "cultural differences."

South China Morning Post

The incident began when Du signed a provisional tenancy agreement on November 6, 2022, for a flat at the Peak One residential complex in Tai Wai. After reconsidering his decision, he contacted Midland Realty agent Sammi Chung Fong-chau, offering her HK$1,000 to resolve the matter informally. In his message, Du stated, “Had this taken place on the mainland, if the two of us had some basic relationship or so, we’d have simply settled it by ourselves without letting our companies know.” He characterized the procedures in Hong Kong as “so rigid and methodical.”

South China Morning Post

Following the bribery attempt, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) launched an investigation. During questioning, Du maintained that the HK$1,000 was meant to cover Chung's travel expenses and compensate for her time. Despite this explanation, the court found him guilty of offering an advantage to the agent. Du has been granted bail to appeal his conviction.

South China Morning Post

Critics of the ruling argue that the magistrate's dismissal of Du's claims regarding cultural differences reflects a lack of understanding of the nuances involved in cross-cultural interactions. They contend that the rigid legal framework in Hong Kong may not adequately account for different cultural practices regarding informal settlements.

South China Morning Post

The ICAC emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity in all transactions, stating that bribery undermines public trust. The magistrate noted that the law must be upheld regardless of cultural context, reinforcing the principle that bribery is unacceptable in any form.

South China Morning Post

• “Had this taken place on the mainland, if the two of us had some basic relationship or so, we’d have simply settled it by ourselves without letting our companies know.” — Du Du, Associate Professor, City University of Hong Kong

South China Morning Post

Du's appeal against his conviction is pending, and the outcome may have implications for how cultural differences are interpreted in legal contexts in Hong Kong. The case has sparked discussions about the intersection of cultural practices and legal standards in the region.

South China Morning Post