HK, Macao chip in to aid recovery

People and organizations in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions have chipped in to help people in quake-hit areas in Gansu province.

Donations made through the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong SAR included prominent philanthropic organizations like the Li Ka Shing Foundation, established by Hong Kong business tycoon Li Ka-shing, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, one of the city's largest charitable groups, with contributions each of HK$20 million ($2.5 million).

Li and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of the jockey club, expressed their wishes for an early resumption of normal life in the affected areas, and hoped the donations could help tide the affected people 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 ($285,000) 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, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions HK$300,000, the Hong Kong Gansu Association HK$100,000, while Zhao Dongping, chairman of the Hong Kong Gansu Association, gave a HK$200,000 donation and another HK$200,000 in materials.

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 on the mainland involved in the quake-stricken area, while extending heartfelt sympathies to the affected and high regard for relief workers.

In Macao, the city's leading gaming and resorts operator MGM China Holdings donated 10 million patacas ($1.2 million) and the Macau Red Cross offered a grant of 200,000 yuan.

MGM's donations were extended through the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR for emergency relief measures and post-disaster recovery work.

Pansy Ho Chiu-king, chairperson and executive director of MGM China Holdings, said the whole nation is grieving for their mainland compatriots hit by the earthquake. She said immediate relief measures are needed in this critical hour, and hoped the people of Gansu will swiftly recover from the disaster.

The Macau Red Cross decided to allocate 200,000 yuan to the Gansu branch of the Red Cross Society of China for purchasing relief materials, saying it will continue to pay close attention to conditions in quake-stricken areas, and maintain close contact with the Red Cross Society of China and its Gansu branch in order to take prompt action.

The 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Gansu and neighboring Qinghai province at midnight Monday, killing over 130 and injuring hundreds more. The search and rescue has lasted for more than 30 hours and is ongoing, with 13 people still missing in Qinghai. The amount of sand and silt earthworks in the affected area is huge, making the rescue extremely difficult.