Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government received a donation of about 1.97 million HK dollars (US$252,694) for the Sichuan earthquake relief effort from 22 transport companies and trade associations.

Hong Kong Commissioner for Transport Alan Wong received the donation on behalf of the HKSAR government,

"I would like to express my greatest appreciation, on behalf of the HKSAR government, to your companies and associations for your donation to help the earthquake victims and their families. Your generosity and efforts have demonstrated a strong sense of solidarity and it shows the deep bonds and love between us and our mainland compatriots, which will warm their hearts," Wong said.

"Every dollar you donate via the HKSAR government will be given to five humanitarian institutions, Hong Kong Red Cross, World Vision Hong Kong, Oxfam, United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Salvation Army for quake relief, and to help victims recover from the disaster and for reconstruction afterwards," he said.

Wong said that Tuesday was also a big reunion day for the transport trade. He noted that the transport trade had made significant contributions to keep Hong Kong moving towards a world city with the world's best transport system which was safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2008)