HK leaders hail central govt backing in COVID-19 fight

Hong Kong's political leaders and its community welcomed the central government's support in combating the city's worst wave of COVID-19, saying it'll lift residents' confidence in containing the outbreak.

They expressed their gratitude for the central government's help and care, and vowed to make joint efforts to bring the pandemic under control.

The response came after a meeting between HKSAR and mainland government officials and medical experts in Shenzhen on Saturday.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu, who led the SAR delegation to the talks, said on Saturday the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, as well as the Guangdong provincial and Shenzhen authorities, will provide support in five areas raised by the SAR government.

The mainland will send medical experts to Hong Kong to help the city root out and trace infections; strengthen the city's testing ability and build up quarantine and treatment facilities; provide rapid antigen test kits; and supply medical beds, masks and anti-pandemic equipment.

In particular, the central government and Guangdong will ensure the continued supply of vegetables, fresh food and other daily necessities to Hong Kong, Lee said.

The central government, as well as the Guangdong provincial and HKSAR authorities, will also jointly set up task forces covering epidemiologists, testing and quarantine facilities, and the dispatch of medical and other supplies to deal with the issues in a timely manner.

Lee thanked the central government, Guangdong and Shenzhen for their support and care for the city.