Corruption prevention to be stepped up while mainland-Hong Kong cross-boundary report figure remains low, said Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Commissioner Raymond Wong Hung-chiu on Tuesday.

Wong revealed that in recent years, cross-boundary corruption reports lodged with the ICAC averaged no more than 80 each year, representing only two percent of all graft reports.

The total number of such graft reports in the first eight months of this year dropped to 32 from 58 in the same period last year.

In addressing the "Ethical Management -- Seminar on Mainland-Hong Kong Business Vistas," Wong called on Hong Kong businessmen to strengthen ethical management and remain vigilant against possible corruption and malpractice as they explored opportunities opened up by Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Frame Agreement.

He also revealed that the ICAC had recently produced a corruption prevention package designed to assist Hong Kong businessmen involved in businesses on the mainland in understanding the relevant laws, implement corruption prevention measures and enhance staff integrity training.

"The ICAC will continue its efforts to enhance corruption prevention among Hong Kong companies involved in cross-boundary businesses," said Wong.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2004)