Hong Kong - Renowned author Ni Kuang has come out in support of his wayward son Joe Nieh, as the young man's relationship drama with singer-actress Vivian Chow continues to unfold in Hong Kong tabloids.

Ni has kept silent since Dec 8 when pictures of his son publicly kissing a Chinese student were published, sparking Nieh's break-up with Chow and his dramatic U-turn later, announcing plans to marry her.

But on Monday, quizzed by Apple Daily over the phone, Ni defended Nieh over recent reports that his son has been hitting on other women despite being an item with Chow for the past 18 years.

He said, 'Of course, I'm happy about it', when asked about becoming a father-in-law come Jan 5, the rumoured date for Nieh and Chow's wedding.

Asked, however, if he would advise his son to stop his tomcat ways after his marriage, Ni shot back: 'What's wrong with going after women? Who hasn't hit on women before? There's no problem here.'

Last week, he was also quoted by a newspaper columnist as saying that whatever he can comment on his son's scandal would never satisfy the public.

He also said Nieh never explained why he initially broke up with Chow, and that his son had no need to do so.

The 73-year-old is best known for his Chinese-language sci-fi series, Wisely, about a Chinese-style Indiana Jones.

He was touring in Japan with his friend, swordfighting novelist Louis Cha, when his son announced he would marry Chow.

Nieh had previously been linked with other actresses, including Michele Reis and Monica Chan.

Last week, Taiwanese lyricist Liang Hung-pin claimed on a TV show that Chow had twice in the 1990s confronted Nieh at home with another woman.