Albert Yeung

Albert Yeung (Yeung Sau-Sing, Chinese: 楊受成), born in 1944 with ancestry in Chaozhou Guangdong, China, is a well known business entrepreneur in Hong Kong. He is the chairman of the Hong Kong media conglomerate Emperor Entertainment Group. [Emperor.com.hk. " [http://www.emperor.com.hk/page.php?p_id=203 Emperor.com.hk] ." "Chairman message." Retrieved on 2008-02-17.] Asianpacificpost.com. " [http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2/402881910674ebab010674f4af2d12e7.do.html Asianpacificpost.com] ." "Scandal rocks Canto-pop music industry." Retrieved on 2008-02-17.]

Throughout his career Yeung has had controversial ties with the Communist Party of China and many sources connect him with criminal triad activities, a charge he puts down to jealousy of his business success.

Biography

In the 1960s his father lent him 200,000 yuan to start a watch business. He was soon successful and became known as the "King of clocks and watches" (鐘錶大王). In the 1970s he moved into the real estate business with as many as 20 simultaneous projects. He confronted difficulties with the "Good World Group" (好世界集團) and ran up debts of 320 million yuan, which he struggled to repay.Southcn.com. " [http://www.southcn.com/ent/hotspot/icac/people/200307210099.htm Southcn.com] ." "英皇集團主席楊受成." Retrieved on 2008-02-17.] In 1986, he founded the Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG), which is now successful in a range of high-profile entertainment businesses.

After the Tiananmen square protests of 1989 Yeung controversially maintained his business relationships with the highest officials of the Chinese government as protection against his detractors. In 1992 he hosted a banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Yeung has supported numerous charities connected with mainland China, including a contribution of HK$200,000 in support the defence of Diaoyu islands. [News.xinhuanet. " [http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2005-09/14/content_3489610.htm News.xinhuanet] ." "與祖國共榮--楊受成." Retrieved on 2008-02-17.] [Appledaily. " [http://www1.appledaily.atnext.com/template/apple/sec_main.cfm?iss_id=20060923&sec_id=4104 Appledaily] ." "與祖國共榮--楊受成." Retrieved on 2005-09-14 courtesy of zh.wikipedia.] He donated to relief funds during the mainland China early 2008 winter storm crisis. [Singtao newspaper February 6, 2008. Section A-14.]

Notable incidents

* On February 10, 1979 Yeung was involved in the beating of Jockey Tony Cruz (告東尼). Yeung was charged with obstruction of justice by the ICAC, Hong Kong's anti-corruption unit and held at Stanley Prison.

* In 2002 comedian Eric Tsang needed stitches after he was attacked for ridiculing Yeung. Yeung was also charged with threatening to break the leg of former employee Michael Lam. Lam told the court he was "very frightened" and forgotten about the alleged incident.

* In 2003 Yeung was again under investigation by the ICAC, along with Hong Kong singer Juno Mak, for allegedly bribing TVB in connection with the Jade solid gold awards. [kklee105.com. " [http://www.kklee105.com/july22003.html kklee105.com] ." "HK ENTERTAINMENT TYCOON STARS IN GRAFT DRAMA." Retrieved on 2008-02-17.] [for68.com. " [http://www.for68.com/new/2006%5C8%5Czh053735563119860028910-0.htm for68.com] ." "香港新聞工作者從業詞典." Retrieved on 2008-02-17.] As many as 30 people were arrested in connection with corrupt allegations with preferential treatment of singers and controlling the music billboards.

* In 2008, as a repercussion of the Edison Chen photo scandal, it was alleged that Yeung, as head of EEG, regularly received sexual favours from young female stars affiliated with the Group.

Controversy

Communist party and triads

Numerous sources have mentioned Yeung's alleged ties to the triads. [Xu, Gary G. Xu. [2007] (2007). Sinascape: Contemporary Chinese Cinema. Rowman & Littlefield. pg 144. ISBN 0742554503.] His cooperation with the Communist Party of China and triads was made public by Wong Man-fong in the 1980s, former deputy secretary-general of Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong despite his denial.

Effects

Stephen J. Solarz was forced to withdraw his bid to become US ambassador to India because he had had business dealings with Yeung. Macau casino head Stanley Ho strongly disapproved of his daughter Pansy Ho's (何超瓊) romantic relationship with Yeung's son Gilbert.

References