Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Hong Kong's chief executive, CY Leung, received millions from an Australian publicly listed firm whilst in office.
The money - about US$ 6.4 million - was paid to the pro-Beijing leader in 2012 and 2013 and was not declared on his register of personal interests.
The payment was an outstanding "agreed bonus" and for future occasional advice, Mr Leung's office said.
Given Leung's position with respect to pro-democracy protests, his standing in public opinion has hit rock bottom, with renewed calls for his resignation.
UGL paid money to him, according to Fairfax media, for acquiring a property services firm, DTZ Holdings, where Mr Leung was Asia Pacific director.
This agreement was made separately between UGL and Mr Leung to ensure he did not compete with UGL and to act as "a referee and advisor from time to time".
However, Mr Leung's office said that he did not provide any services after his resignation, which took effect on 4 December 2011.
The news has however fuelled further protests against Leung, already unpopular for his intransigent positions and "contemptuous" attitude toward the Occupy Central pro-democracy movement and students, in the streets for democracy.
In addition, having been elected in 2012 with just over half of the votes from a committee of 1,200 members who were largely loyal to the Chinese government, Mr Leung already lacks legitimacy in the minds of a significant portion of the public.
UGL said no clause had been put in place to make the payment null and void if Mr Leung was elected to public office, because managers thought he would not win.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong continues to wait for talks between students and the government.
Scheduled for tomorrow, 10 October, the talks have been described as "useless" because they do not address the main issues of the protest, namely universal suffrage, real democracy and the resignation of the chief executive.
While the situation in the streets of the Territory is back to normal, some students and demonstrators continue their picket in the central sections of the former British colony.