ICAC Commissioner Dr Tong Hin-ming and other Commission representatives visited Sichuan Province last week to learn first hand the supervision of quake reconstruction projects funded by the Hong Kong Government.

The ICAC delegation, following a three-day official visit in Beijing, went to Chengdu in Sichuan Province last Thursday (May 20) where they met with Mr Wei Hong, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, and Mr Xu Bo, Director of Supervision Department.

The delegation also visited a Hong Kong Government-funded project - the Provincial Road 303 (Yingxiu to Wolong section).

Mr Xu briefed the delegation on the supervision of the quake reconstruction projects in Sichuan Province, noting that the Mainland Government, the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee and Sichuan Provincial Government clearly directed that the monitoring of Hong Kong Government-funded projects must be stepped up to ensure their integrity and effectiveness.

The delegation learnt that the related projects were subject to the simultaneous scrutiny of the Ministry of Supervision, the Sichuan Provincial Government as well as the Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Government and consultancy firms.

Meeting the supervisory staff at the construction site of Provincial Road 303 (Yingxiu to Wolong section), Dr Tong learnt that the related projects were under supervision of the state, the province as well as Hong Kong authorities.

Furthermore, the consultancy firms conducted on-site inspection visits from time to time. In conducting each visit, professional consultants examined various aspects against a set of objective criteria. The Mainland authorities answered their queries and took follow-up actions.

The ICAC had offered to the Development Bureau corruption prevention advice on on-site inspections and quality control testing in respect of the monitoring of the reconstruction projects funded by the Hong Kong Government. The recommendations were accepted and implemented by the bureau.

From the site visit, the delegation understood that a sophisticated mechanism was in place to monitor Hong Kong Government-funded projects, which operated effectively in line with the spirit and principles of corruption prevention.

The ICAC delegation also conducted an on-site visit to a reconstruction area, which provides accommodation for farmers whose houses were destroyed in the earthquake.

During the visit to Sichuan Province, the ICAC presented two Best Practice Modules respectively on quality control testing for the construction industry and the management of works consultancies to the Supervision Department for its reference.

Delegation members also met and exchanged views with a lawyer engaged in assisting Hong Kong businesses in Sichuan.

In view of increased Hong Kong investment in the province and more enterprises there planning to invest or list in Hong Kong, the ICAC planned to compile corruption prevention guidebooks to assist businessmen to understand anti-corruption laws in both jurisdictions and enhance corporate governance. This was supported by the authorities and businessmen in the province.

Members of the ICAC delegation included Ms Julie Mu Fee-man, Director of Community Relations; Mrs Jean Au Yeung Lui Miu-kwan, Director of Corruption Prevention; Mr Ricky Yau Shu-chun, Assistant Director of Operations; and Ms Yvonne Mui Yee-yu, Senior Staff Officer of the Centre of Anti-Corruption Studies. They returned to Hong Kong yesterday after the official visit.