Members of Defend Hong Kong Campaign call for the approval of the new round of anti-pandemic fund outside the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong Sept 25, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong residents on Friday called for the Legislative Council to quickly approve anti-pandemic initiatives involving HK$16 billion (US$2.1 billion).

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The legislature’s Finance Committee is holding an all-day meeting to deliberate the government’s application, which covers part of the HK$24-billion third round of the anti-pandemic fund, investment in securing COVID-19 vaccines, and preparation for future pandemic outbreaks.

A resident surnamed Au expressed hope for approval of the funding, saying the government initiatives will help Hong Kong recover from the pandemic

Some opposition lawmakers tried to obstruct the deliberation by requesting government officials to visit 12 Hong Kong people who are being detained in Shenzhen for illegally crossing the border.

The lawmakers surrounded Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung upon his arrival at the legislature, to prevent him from attending the meeting. Cheung had to move to the resting room later.

Outside the legislature, a resident surnamed Au expressed hope for approval of the funding, saying the government initiatives will help Hong Kong recover from the pandemic.

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Another resident, surnamed Auyeung who works in the service industry, told reporters that the relief package is a good news for the sector, which has been hit by the pandemic.

So far the government has announced three rounds of anti-pandemic funds comprising HK$191.5 billion. The LegCo have approved HK$150 billion funding for the previous two rounds.