Next Media Li Zhiying and Next Media Group Executive Director Huang Weiqiang are suspected of violating the land lease by using the land valued at HK$516 million in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, and concealing the owner of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Company, so that the company related to Li Zhiying obtains rental benefits, and 2 people are charged with fraud , the case will be continued in the district court today (5th), and the continued testimony by Huang Keqiang, CEO of the Science and Technology Park. He reiterated that if the lessee wants to apply for a license for another company to be allowed to use part of the leased premises, the business of the company concerned must be related to the use approved by the lease, and stressed that an application must be made before consideration.
Huang Keqiang agreed during cross-examination by the defense counsel that the main function of the contract is to regulate the responsibilities and rights of both parties, and the interpretation or interpretation of the scope of the contract should be determined by the court. Huang pointed out that when considering the license application of a related company of the lessee, the main consideration will be whether the company’s business is related to the purpose approved by the lease. For example, if a soy sauce factory applies for a license for a data company, it will not be approved. Because they are not professional in this field.
The defense quoted Huang’s written statement during cross-examination, saying that the police had asked Huang whether the application for a license would be approved if Lego Consulting Co., Ltd. and Apple Charity Foundation, which had nothing to do with publishing, applied for the use of the premises. At the time, Huang pointed out that it should be considered according to individual circumstances and reasons. The defense asked Huang whether the Science and Technology Park would not easily reject a license application when considering a license application; and if the relevant person had a certain position in the company and was offered a salary plan, would it affect whether the license would be issued. Huang responded that these are hypothetical questions, but reiterated that if the company concerned has nothing to do with the printing business, it will not normally issue a license. If the business content is to be discussed, the other party must first apply and provide information before the discussion can take place.
Huang also pointed out that the Science and Technology Park hopes that the resources can be used well. If any violation is found during the inspection, it will not take legal action immediately, but will first make remediation and give a warning to the other party. If the warning fails, the next step will be taken. . He said: “Our job is not to make them have problems, but to hope to solve the problem.” He also pointed out that “We are not the police, not pulling people, but hoping to do things well for them.” Agreeing that remedial action would not be a violation. However, after the judge’s questioning and clarification, Huang agreed that a violation is a violation, and the final decision needs to be made collectively by the company. In addition, the defense also questioned that the suspension of “Apple Daily” was the main factor for the Science and Technology Park to print and issue a court summons to Apple to request the repossession of the premises, and Huang pointed out that it was one of the factors to be considered.
The defendants in this case are Lai Zhiying (74 years old) and Huang Weiqiang (60 years old), the two were charged with one count of fraud, alleging that the two together with Zhou Daquan and others, from January 2016 to May 19, 2020, to Hong Kong The Science and Technology Parks Corporation concealed the use of the premises at No. 8 Chun Ying Street, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate without entering into a lease; and Lai Zai alone faced one more count of fraud, accusing him and others in April 1998. From the 1st to December 31st, 2015, he used the premises involved in the case without concealing the proposal and the lease agreement. The case will resume next Tuesday (10th).
Case number: DCCC 349/2021
