Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying expected to head international aid foundation thought to be a Beijing-backed soft-power push
- GX Foundation to focus on humanitarian aid, according to former city chief
- Other directors include leaders of state-owned firms, which observers say suggests central government backing
Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying is set to head an international aid foundation he is launching with 20 business heavyweights from the city and mainland China in what is being seen as a Beijing-backed soft-power push.
There is little information about what exactly the GX Foundation will do, but according to its articles of incorporation, “The company is established for the promotion, organisation and carrying out of international humanitarian aid and related activities on a non-profit-making basis.”
Leung, now a vice-chairman of the nation’s top political advisory body, was appointed on January 24 as director of the company, which takes its name from the Mandarin words gong xiang, which means sharing.
Responding through the Office of Former Chief Executives, Leung said he was doing unpaid work for GX, and had informed the government of his role the day after his appointment.
“The nature of the work of the foundation is humanitarian aid which will be funded by donation,” he said, without elaborating.
Leung is expected to chair the foundation, a source familiar with the matter said.
