Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Volunteers and community groups rushed in, determined to help after a major residential complex fire broke out in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday.

A steady stream of emergency supplies such as blankets, food and water, donated by enterprises and individuals, has been arriving at the temporary shelters.

Many residents have also voluntarily transported supplies, organized fundraisers, and offered online psychological counseling.

"I've lived here for over 30 years. Our hearts are incredibly heavy right now. But at the same time, we feel deeply comforted by the support from our national leaders, leaders at all levels, and all sectors of society. Those who can give money are giving money, those who can contribute effort are giving their strength. It makes us feel that when one place is in trouble, help comes from all directions. Our volunteers come from all over Hong Kong, as well as from the mainland and even overseas. Everyone came voluntarily, and most of us didn't know each other beforehand," said a volunteer.

"My feeling is that we are all Hong Kong people, and when others need help, we young people, can do our part and help by providing daily necessities and essentials they need. They are all very happy about that," said a senior high school student.

"Everyone is working together. This truly reflects the spirit of 'when one place is in trouble, aid comes from all directions,'" said another high school volunteer on site.

Angus Ng Hok-ming, chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, has also organized volunteers to provide assistance.

"We recruited 1,200 volunteers in two days. Currently, supplies are plentiful, we have sufficient personnel, and there are many volunteers. So we can see that everyone is united and doing their utmost to support the disaster relief efforts. I feel that this shows Hong Kong is full of love," Ng said.

Firefighting, rescue and search operations were completed on Friday morning after the fatal blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po on Wednesday afternoon. The tragedy has claimed 128 lives.

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Officials and business leaders form China and Finland on Monday signed new agreements and pledged deeper trade ties in Beijing during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's ongoing visit to China.

The 6th China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation Meeting, a long-standing cooperation mechanism aimed at linking the two countries' companies, capital and innovation, was co-hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

The gathering brought together representatives from the government and business sectors spanning the fields of energy, manufacturing, aviation, healthcare and sustainability.

Orpo, who arrived in the Chinese capital on the previous day, said he hopes his visit will "open doors to Finnish companies" and the meeting was primarily about matchmaking -- connecting policy priorities with real business needs and turning cooperation into concrete projects.

"We have a rather small scale, here we can see the scale, whether it's about the patient numbers, manufacturing services, or equity values," said Juha Yrjanheikki, CEO of Aurealis Therapeutics, a cell and gene therapy platform company.

"More and more of the most innovative solutions, whether it's to do with how we work or how our products work, we see them coming more and more from China," said Jussi Herlin, vice chair of board of directors of Kone Corporation, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry.

"China has always been an important market for us -- for the Finnish companies, because it's a huge market. So if you manage to be successful here with your technology, then you can compete all over the world," said Timo Vuori, vice president of the Confederation of Finnish Industries.

In a speech at the meeting, Orpo said his visit also sends a broader signal of commitment to cooperation, even as global trade faces rising uncertainties.

"Finland and China enjoy stable and long-standing relations. Over these years of collaboration, trade relations between our countries have grown steadily. China has become a very important market for Finnish businesses. To truly flourish, we must together preserve the shared rules-based trade system. It provides the predictability and confidence needed for companies to expand their partnership and pursue sustainable growth," said the prime minister.

In his speech, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao outlined how cooperation between the two sides has translated into concrete outcomes.

"Our bilateral trade topped eight billion U.S. dollars in 2025, with two-way investment stock exceeding 23 billion dollars. During today's meeting, companies from both countries engaged in active exchanges and enthusiastic cooperation, signing over 10 cooperation agreements," said Wang.

China and Finland pedge deeper trade ties at Beijing business meeting during Orpo's Visit