Hong Kong's ICAC has charged former professor Liu Hongbin with accepting a HK$40,000 bribe from a friend to facilitate a student's admission to a master's programme. He allegedly offered red packets to colleagues. Both defendants were released on bail and are due at Kwun Tong Court on Wednesday.
Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) charged former Hong Kong University of Science and Technology professor Liu Hongbin with accepting a HK$40,000 (US$5,100) bribe from a friend, Lam, and offering red packets to colleagues to aid a student's admission to the Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety programme. Liu served as programme director for the 2025-26 academic year, handling application reviews and interviews. The alleged offences took place between March and May 2025. The pair face one joint count of conspiracy for a public servant to accept an advantage, with Liu facing two additional counts of offering an advantage to a public servant. ICAC found the student did not meet general admission requirements, and the application was rejected. Both defendants were released on bail and are scheduled to appear at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday to enter pleas.