Hong Kong's chief executive, CY Leung, was reportedly paid millions in a secret deal by an Australian publicly-listed firm.
According to the BBC, secret documents seen by Fairfax media group are said to reveal payments from engineering company UGL to Leung of 4 million pounds (US 6.4m dollars).
Meanwhile, a statement from Leung's office said the payments were from his resignation from the company and not for future services.
Leung, who is backed by Beijing and faces pro-democracy protests, reportedly received the money in 2012 and 2013 after he assumed the position of leader of Hong Kong.
The payment was not declared on his register of personal interests, the report said.
