Vancouver property developer wanted by Interpol for Chinese corruption

A major Vancouver property developer is on Interpol’s list of wanted individuals for charges of corruption in China.

Michael Ching Mo Yeung is the president CEO of Mo Yeung Enterprises, a company that is spearheading a number of upcoming sizeable projects in the Metro Vancouver region including the International Trade Centre on the site of the Richmond Night Market and the Opus Hotel in Richmond.

According to the South China Morning Post, the 45-year-old is the son of the late Cheng Weigao, a senior Chinese government official who was investigated for corruption and later expelled from the Communist Party.

Ching is apparently linked to his father’s alleged abuse of power, siphoning money from the state and resulting in “huge losses.” Interpol’s website indicates Ching is facing the following charges in China:

State personnel who take advantage of their office to misappropriate, steal, swindle or use other illegal means to acquire state properties constitute the crime of graft. Conceals, transfers, purchases, or acts as an agent to sell something he clearly knows as booty which have been gained through committing a crime.

The cloud of allegations have hovered over Ching for years, but they were renewed earlier this month when the Chinese government included him in a new list of 100 wanted economic fugitives – a list that includes 26 individuals who are believed to be residing in Canada.

A Vancouver Sun report notes that Ching is challenging the allegations and has a one-day court hearing on June 23 in Winnipeg to avoid China’s request for his deportation to face charges.