Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker William Wong’s bail extended on 4 traffic offences

Former Legislative Council member William Wong has been formally charged with drink driving and dangerous driving following a traffic incident, two months after the event led to his resignation. Charged on Wednesday at Shatin Magistrates’ Court, the 66-year-old appeared for the initial hearing. Wong faces multiple accusations linked to an accident at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on June 29th.

He is alleged to have driven with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit, committed dangerous driving, failed to stop after the collision, and neglected to report the accident involving damage. The charges stem from an incident where Wong allegedly struck two parked vehicles outside a residential building at CUHK.

Despite leaving the scene initially, Wong returned for a police investigation, where he tested positive for alcohol. Shortly after the incident, Wong resigned from his political position and issued an apology for causing "trouble" in society. CUHK subsequently suspended him from his role as the external affairs associate dean of the engineering faculty, though the university still lists him as a professor.

A breath-alcohol reading of 45 micrograms was reported by prosecutors, nearly double the legal limit of 22 micrograms. Wong was granted bail set at HK5,000 and must adhere to strict conditions, including a ban on driving and mandatory police station visits every two weeks. He is also prohibited from contacting prosecution witnesses.

Wong declined to answer questions from reporters as he exited the courthouse, and his legal representative, fellow former lawmaker Paul Tse, stated that Wong would not be responding to inquiries during the ongoing proceedings.