A street forum organized by the Hong Kong Federation for a Democratic China yesterday claimed that Tang along with another entertainer, John Sham Kin-fun, were behind the secret "Operation Yellow Bird."

The forum was addressed by Chan Tat- ching, who led the operation that was engineered by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.

But Tang, 62, told The Standard he was neither involved nor had any clue regarding the mission. He only admitted knowing Chan.

There was also speculation that the late diva Anita Mui Yim-fong was involved.

While this has never been confirmed, a floral arrangement at Mui's funeral ceremony in 2003 carried the name "Operation Yellow Bird."

The involvement of the CIA was cited in 1996 testimony before the US Congress while a British journalist mentioned the operation in a documentary Escape From Tiananmen.

Little was known about Chan and the nine-month operation which saved student activists, including Wu'er Kaixi and Xiang Xiaoji. It was said to have been supported by triad society members.

At the time, Chan, 65, was a wine trader with connections ranging from senior mainland officials to smugglers. He said he fainted when he heard gunshots at the square and, desperate to help the students, agreed when Tang sought his participation through a friend.

The operation kicked off in mid-June 1989, with the alliance notifying Chan of the secret locations of dissidents, after which he would arrange escape routes.

Chan said the 40 rescuers under his command smuggled dissidents by sea to Hong Kong where the alliance arranged quick exits for them to the West.

He said he contributed HK$6 million to the HK$20 million operation, and that HK$2 million was used to compensate families of four rescuers who died in the missions.

"I will still participate in the operation if the same circumstance occurs again," Chan said.