Hong Kong tycoons and social groups have actively offered assistance to Chinese mainland compatriots who were severely affected by recent record-breaking downpours and devastating floods in North China.
Since late July, heavy rains and flooding from Typhoon Doksuri hit North and Northeast China, including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, causing huge casualties and property loss in these regions. Over 4.69 million people were affected in the disaster, local authorities said.
Cheng Kar-shun, chairman and executive director of New World Development Company and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, donated 20 million yuan ($2.77 million) to the flood-hit areas through the China Charity Federation for local reconstruction work.
In a statement, Cheng expressed his solidarity with the disaster-stricken people. “As Chinese compatriots, we are willing to work with people across the country to help restore normal life in the disaster-hit areas, and make our modest contribution to achieve early reconstruction in those regions,” he said.
Richard Li Tzar-kai, chairman of Pacific Century Group, donated HK$20 million ($2.56 million) to support the affected regions. Li also called for more Hong Kong residents to lend a hand.
Announcing the New People’s Party’s HK$500,000 donation, the party’s chairwoman, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, said she hopes the affected compatriots can get out of their predicament as soon as possible.
Last week, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions donated HK$500,000 to help schools in Hebei repair their dormitories and buildings. The federation also initiated a fundraising campaign, appealing for donations from the community.
Hong Kong society has a long-standing tradition of helping the mainland’s disaster-hit people. In 2021, the city donated over HK$230 million to help Central China’s Henan province after the region suffered severe flooding.
Mike Wong contributed to the story.
