Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, visits a rice warehouse of China Merchants Godown, Wharf and Transportation on Monday. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
The central government’s top representative in Hong Kong told the SAR’s mainland-funded enterprises to help keep local markets supplied and offer financial relief to local businesses and residents, as the city battles to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
During his visits to those enterprises on Monday, Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, told company managers to put virus prevention at the top of their agendas and fully support the SAR government in its efforts to fend off the pneumonia-like disease caused by the virus.
After being briefed at two warehouses, Luo said that mainland enterprises should harness their global sources and logistics to increase the supply of pork, rice and other commodities “by every means possible”.
The rising number of local-infection cases has triggered citywide panic buying of essentials, including cleaning supplies, toilet paper and dry goods, while local shops struggle to replenish their shelves.
Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, visits Bank of China (Hong Kong) on Monday. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
The epidemic has also taken its toll on small and medium-sized enterprises, the city’s financial markets, and people’s incomes. Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has warned that Hong Kong’s economy could contract again in 2020, as the epidemic hits retailers, restaurants and hotels, which were already battered by anti-government protests that began in mid-2019.
Luo suggested Bank of China (Hong Kong) ramp up financial support, in addition to its current relief on mortgage loans, to help SMEs and residents weather an economic downturn. The bank had earlier said it would allow individuals and corporate clients to pay only interest on their mortgage loans for up to half a year.
Inspecting Sinopec Hong Kong Oil Terminal in Tsing Yi, Luo praised the company’s measures to ensure the supply of oil and keep oil prices stable at this time. He also expressed gratitude to front-line employees who stick to their posts.
Since mid-January, mainland enterprises have devoted themselves to the country’s fight against the pneumonia-like disease, which has infected more than 70,000 worldwide.
About 10,000 people in medical institutions owned by China Resources took part in the battle, with nearly 19 million yuan (US$2.72 million) donated by the same corporation. China Merchants Group contributed 220 million yuan and over 1 million masks and items of protective gear. China Travel Service Hong Kong donated 25.5 million yuan and 20,000 masks. China Taiping Insurance is offering free insurance to medical staff in Wuhan.
