State-owned enterprises in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have been proactively helping residents affected by the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po that has claimed at least 159 lives, standing firmly together with them to overcome this difficult time.
Established in Hong Kong in 1979, China Overseas Holdings — a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation — has made an immediate donation of HK$20 ($2.56 million), the largest single charitable contribution in the firm’s recent history. Moreover, its employees have responded warmly, raising an additional HK$2.08 million.
“With sincere heartfelt care, we stand together with Hong Kong residents in overcoming the difficulties,” said Shi Yong, assistant general manager of China Overseas.
China Overseas Property Holdings — one of the group’s five subsidiaries — has taken full responsibility for round-the-clock services at four temporary shelters, providing instant noodles, drinking water, daily necessities and a safe resting environment for displaced residents.
China Overseas has also mobilized 504 volunteer participations, contributing more than 1,806 service hours to provide professional facility maintenance, environmental cleaning and disinfection, on-site order maintenance and emergency material transport services, as well as psychological support for affected residents.
Another state-owned firm, China Merchants Group, has launched a full-range relief operation. The China Merchants Foundation has allocated HK$20 million to establish a dedicated Hong Kong fire relief fund, while China Merchants Bank contributed another HK$10 million to the SAR government’s relief fund.
“We’ve activated cross-border emergency logistics for efficient delivery of donated relief supplies from the Chinese mainland,” said Deng Xiaolin, senior project officer at China Merchants Foundation. The platform coordinated the delivery of exoskeleton robots from Shenzhen to Hong Kong on Dec 3.
According to Deng, company employees began volunteering on-site in the afternoon of Nov 26 when the disaster struck. They worked through the night to assess damage, evacuate residents, distribute supplies, provide emotional support, and help those affected with resettlement.
From Nov 29 to Dec 1, 58 volunteer deployments have supported temporary shelters, helping to distribute supplies, provide breakfasts, conduct site patrols, and care for affected residents. On Dec 1 and Dec 2, six vehicles were deployed each day, including two trucks, to support relocation and resettlement efforts.
China Tourism Group has allocated 500 units in its creative hub, Runway 1331, to rehouse displaced residents. The units come in two sizes — 18 sq m and 36 sq m. The site also includes a medical room and a psychological counseling clinic.
“As a SOE stationed in Hong Kong, we regard social responsibility seriously. All our staff will do their utmost to provide the best possible services to affected residents,” said Zhang Yan, general manager of Operations Management Department in CTG Development Corporation.
