Helping hand in dengue fight

In the Pacific region, a medical humanitarian aid and charitable organization from Hong Kong is working to help Vanuatu control dengue fever.

Hong Kong can play a key role in promoting people-to-people connectivity between countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, with cooperation in humanitarian aid helping form deep linkages, said former Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying, emphasizing the city's advantage under the "one country, two systems" principle.

"The role of Hong Kong in international exchange and cooperation does not just lie in business and trade, but also encompasses public welfare and philanthropy," said Leung, who is vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chair of the Hong Kong-based nongovernmental organization GX Foundation.

On July 29, the medical humanitarian aid and charitable organization GX, in collaboration with Vanuatu's health ministry, launched in Port Vila a program to fight malaria, dengue fever and other vector-borne diseases in the island nation.

The two-year program was launched following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties in February.