in december 2009, szeto wah was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. he was told by pro-beijing politician cheng kai-nam that the central government was concerned about his illness. some mainland doctors were sent to see szeto. chief executive donald tsang also visited szeto and told him that he could arrange szeto to be treated in mainland. however, szeto said that "many people in china are being tortured and prosecuted, and if i go back it would be a privilege, a totally different treatment. i feel guilty and cannot accept the offer."