A director of a manufacturing company was brought to the Fanling Magistracy today (June 7) after being charged by the ICAC with offering a mobile phone and a bribe of 9,999 Renminbi twice to an employee of a bank for assisting him in opening an account for his company.

Zhao Genglian, 55, sole director-cum-shareholder of China (HK) Huanggang Int’l Investment & Development Limited (CHII), who was charged last night (June 6), faced three charges of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

No plea was taken today. Principal Magistrate Ms Woo Huey-fang remanded the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Services Department until July 14 this year for mention.

At the material time, the defendant was the sole director-cum-shareholder of CHII, a manufacturing company registered in Hong Kong.

One of the charges alleged that on January 24, 2017, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered a mobile phone to an employee of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) as a reward for assisting him in opening a corporate bank account with HSBC in the name of CHII.

Another charge alleged that on February 10, 2017, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered a bribe of 9,999 Renminbi to the employee of HSBC for the same purpose.

The remaining charge alleged that on February 11, 2017, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered the bribe of 9,999 Renminbi again to the employee of HSBC for the same purpose.

The employee of HSBC declined the defendant’s offer on each occasion, and subsequently reported the matter to the management of the bank.

The management of HSBC had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Serena Lam.