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| On July 8, Vice-President Xi Jinping met members of the Hong Kong search and rescue teams deployed to Sichuan after the May 12 earthquake at the Government Flying Service hangar in Chek Lap Kok. |
Vice President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China ended his visit to Hong Kong on July 8 by meeting members of government departments that had taken part in search-and-rescue efforts in Sichuan after the May 12 earthquake.
He met with approximately 120 volunteer staff at the Government Flying Service hangar in Chek Lap Kok. The volunteers came from the Fire Services Department, the Government Flying Service, the Department of Health, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Water Supplies Department and the Information Services Department. A medical team from the Hospital Authority, which had treated quake victims, also was present.
Mr. Xi was invited to view a Super Puma helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft and other equipment used in aid efforts, along with photographs taken during the Sichuan mission.
On behalf of the Central Government and the quake victims, he expressed gratitude and admiration to the volunteers. He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) requested to send a search-and-rescue team immediately after the earthquake, followed soon thereafter by a contingent from the Government Flying Service, a medical team and an infection prevention team. These four teams performed timely and essential work in the quake area, despite the risk of aftershocks and threats to personal safety.
He praised team members for their devotion, heroism, quest for excellence and professionalism, for which they had earned the respect of quake victims and the Chinese people.
Concluding his tour of the city, the Vice President noted he is confident the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events in Hong Kong will be a success.
He also urged Hong Kong residents and the HKSARG to unite and work closely together to build a better future. Mr. Xi left Hong Kong via Shenzhen Bay Port after being seen off at Chek Lap Kok by Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang, Hong Kong Financial Secretary John C. Tsang and Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung.
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