New expense rules issued after ex-ICAC chief Tong's spending scandal

Officials may only give gifts which bear the name of a Hong Kong government body under a new set of guidelines established after a spending scandal involving former ICAC chief Timothy Tong Hin-ming.

The government yesterday circulated new rules to heads of bureaus and departments, regulating the purchase of gifts, alongside a revised set of rules on entertainment.

The guidelines resulted from a review of regulations with reference to the conclusions of an investigation by a government-appointed committee of Tong's use of public money.

The guidelines stipulate that gifts should only be exchanged between organisations and should always be inscribed with an official name or logo. The name or logo can be that of the Hong Kong government, the bureau, department or committee concerned, the Hong Kong regional flag or emblem, or the BrandHK logo used in government publicity work.

The restriction came after it was revealed in a Legislative Council public accounts committee (PAC) probe last year that the ICAC had purchased items such as silk scarves and food such as fish balls as gifts.

The guidelines require that gifts be given only when "necessary" or "unavoidable". Extravagant gifts are to be avoided. Books that promote Hong Kong are a good choice as a gift.