December 21, 2023
HONG KONG – Hong Kong has donated over HK$4.5 million ($577,000) in disaster relief for residents hit by a deadly earthquake in Gansu, Qinghai province.
The donations, made through the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, included cash from prominent philanthropic organizations like the Li Ka Shing Foundation, established by tycoon Li Ka-shing, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), one of the city’s largest charitable groups, who each contributed HK$20 million.
Extending gratitude towards the organizations and philanthropists who had rendered assistance, the office said it demonstrates the valuable mutual support between compatriots from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland
Li and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of HKJC, expressed their wish for an early resumption of normal life in the affected areas, and said they hoped that the donations could help the affected to tide over difficult times.
The office also received donations of money and materials from a wide range of organizations and groups. Sino Group, one of the city’s leading property developers, donated 2 million yuan in the name of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation.
The Hong Kong Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (Provincial) Members Association also contributed HK$2 million, with the Friends of Hong Kong Association giving HK$1 million; another HK$300,000 came from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, and there was HK$100,000 from the Hong Kong Gansu Association and HK$200,000 in cash and another HK$200,000 in materials from Zhao Dongping, chairman of the Hong Kong Gansu Association.
Extending gratitude towards the organizations and philanthropists who had rendered assistance, the office said it demonstrates the valuable mutual support between compatriots from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.
In addition, the city’s gas provider The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) doled out 1 million yuan to support relief organizations involved in the quake-stricken area, extending heartfelt sympathy to the affected and expressing admiration for relief workers.
The 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Gansu province and neighboring Qinghai province at midnight on Monday, killing 131 people as of 10 am on Wednesday, with more than 700 injured.
The search and rescue operation has lasted for more than 30 hours and is still ongoing, with 16 people still missing in Qinghai. A huge amount of sand and silt on the affected area is making the rescue extremely difficult.
Due to the cold in the disaster area, there is an urgent need for cotton tents, folding beds, quilted bedding, coats and heating equipment including electric heaters. According to the weather forecast, the temperature in the quake-hit zone will remain around -10 C for the next 10 days.