Andrew Higgins in Hong Kong
IN the dying days of British rule, all eyes in Hong Kong are fixed on a corpse. Around it crowd dozens of television cameras and a throng of mud-slinging mourners. The cause of the controversy is the death of a philandering, opium-smoking and much loved Cantonese opera star.
Tang, best known for an aria entitled Lechery is the Worst of the 10 000 Evils, had four wives, seven children and many affairs. He was made a Member of the British Empire for his charity work. But his good work did not extend to his family.
The relatives seem to hate each other. Or, according to gossip, sleep with each other. Filial piety is not a priority in this clan. The details of what the various siblings, uncles and aunts say are libellous, ranging from allegations of theft to sordid hints of incest, child abuse and all-in-the-family adultery by Tang with a sister-in-law.
Before Tang’s death last week at the age of 81, the Chinese-language press was providing blow-by-blow coverage of a ferocious family feud. This focused on rival claims to a valuable tower-block in Wan Chai, and jewellery, jade baubles and Chinese antiques worth 8-million.
Tang’s corpse has become a hotly disputed property. His fourth wife, Hung Jin-mui (52), was barred from the funeral home by her children. When she tried to attend Tang’s wake, security guards turned her away. A son then announced that his mother could see the coffin – for 2,5-million. She declined and threatened legal action to ensure a seat at the funeral last week.
“This whole thing is an incredible soap opera, a really juicy soap opera, only with real people and real events,” said Lam Sai- kai, entertainment editor for the Eastern Press Group, which publishes a daily paper and weekly magazine. “Lots of the big rich Hong Kong families have problems but this family is a catastrophe.”