Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi appeared in the High Court on Friday (Dec 5) to testify in a breach-of-contract case filed by her former manager Yu Yuk-hing and his management company, AEG Entertainment Group Limited. The case involves alleged violations of exclusive management agreements and film contracts.
Cheung, who entered the entertainment industry in 1998, told the court that prior to Yu’s management, she had worked with two managers, Stanley Chu Wing-lung and Tiffany Chen Ming-yin. She emphasised that she valued personal integrity over contract duration or financial terms, stating, “If the person is trustworthy, I will work with them for life.”
She also highlighted her longstanding working relationship with her assistant Emily, originally assigned by Chen, who has managed Cheung’s financial and contractual affairs for years, including bank matters, and the two maintain a close professional and personal bond.
Regarding property matters, Cheung confirmed that in April 2011 she entered into a provisional agreement to purchase a unit at Hong Kong’s Century Tower for HK$128 million, with the final transaction completed on 11 July 2011. She said she initially only viewed the unit and instructed Emily to handle the subsequent arrangements.
Emily later informed her that HK$40 million was needed to settle the balance, warning of potential complications with the bank. Cheung recalled seeking assistance from two acquaintances in the entertainment industry to raise the funds. She considered signing management contracts with both, but could not reach an agreement on the terms. Eventually, she engaged Yu and signed an eight-year management contract with him.
The plaintiff noted that Yu claimed Cheung had referred to him as a “godfather” and that he had a good relationship with Cheung’s father. Cheung denied ever calling Yu “godfather,” describing him solely as an investor in The Lion Roars 2 at the time.
The plaintiff also noted that Cheung had previously filed a statutory declaration in 2011, stating that she joined AEG Entertainment Group based on trust in Yu. Cheung responded that her professional interactions with Yu on set prior to signing the agreement were consistent with that declaration.
According to the court papers, Yu and Cheung signed exclusive global management agreements in July 2011 and May 2012, under which Yu advanced a total of HK$42.76 million in film fees. Yu alleges that Cheung breached the agreements by failing to complete six film projects and seeks at least HK$12.76 million in damages. The defence disputes the authenticity of the management agreement and Cheung’s signature, claiming forgery.
Read more: Cecilia Cheung sued for $12.76m by ex-manager over alleged breach of contract
