A video of Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung singing with a local rock star on Monday has left both parties embattled in controversy and ridicule.
The video was taken during the third anniversary celebration of a pro-Beijing political party, where rock star Steve Wong Ka-keung from the former band Beyond was invited to perform. Chief Executive CY Leung, government officials, and other prominent party members were also invited, apparently unbeknownst to Wong.
It is reported that the rock star attempted to avoid Leung during an encore, but was eventually approached by the Chief Executive for a selfie. Wong was later shown singing with Leung, among other officials, on the stage.
The selfie and video, which were posted to the Chief Executive’s official Facebook page, have become the artist’s kiss-of-death.
Wong has since found himself criticised by netizens who accuse him of betraying the band’s rock ’n’ roll egalitarian and anti-authority morals.
Wong countered that he was not aware that Leung was present at the event, but had to remain professional and finish the performance when the CE joined him on stage. Apple Daily reports that he also said he did not want to smile in the selfie, although he looks pretty cheerful to us.
The controversy has larger implications for the Chief Executive, however. Leung has since been accused of copyright infringement for uploading the video of the song without express permission.
The gaffe comes at a particularly sensitive time for Leung, as the second reading of the controversial “Internet Article 23” amendment on current copyright laws is set to be discussed next Wednesday. User-generated content, such as covers of copyrighted songs, are banned under the amendment, meaning Leung’s action could have been an offence.
No doubt a little red faced, the Chief Executive’s office has since paid the Composers and Authors Society Hong Kong for the licence to the song. A representative from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry told Apple Daily that the Chief Executive’s Office is also required to pay them, among other bodies, to have the video legally uploaded.
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