The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has provided financial support covering taxes, rent, water, electricity, sewage charges and other disaster-relief benefits to local residents badly affected by a deadly fire that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po last Wednesday, claiming 159 lives and leaving 31 others unaccounted for.
The HKSAR government has also granted waivers for other costs such as document replacement, medical treatment, and funeral services.
Cai Rongxing, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has praised the relief efforts.
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has flexibly handled government fees and bills for residents of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po. This measure is timely and impactful, helping to alleviate the financial burden on the affected residents, enabling them to overcome their distress and difficulties as soon as possible. It also reflects the swift and proactive response of the entire Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, providing the most practical and needed assistance to the affected residents. For example, tax relief, free medical services, and exemptions from water and electricity fees are among the most urgently needed support for the residents at this time," he said.
HK government provides affected residents with tax relief, fee support, associated cost waivers
Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron held friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Macron arrived in Chengdu on the previous evening for the second stop of his three-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi.
Upon their arrival in Chengdu, Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were warmly received by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Welcoming them to Sichuan, which is known in China as the "Land of Abundance", Xi recalled his visit last year to France's Hautes-Pyrenees Department at Macron's invitation. Xi said he believed that Macron's latest visit will help further deepen his understanding of China.
The two presidents together visited the more than two-millennia-old Dujiangyan irrigation system, a major water conservancy project located along the Minjiang River which was built during China's Warring States period (475-221 BC) and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Xi noted that the Dujiangyan irrigation system is the world's only ancient irrigation project still in operation today, and also one of the earliest successful practices of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, adding that its construction process fully reflects the Chinese nation's spirit of constant self-improvement, fearlessness in the face of hardships, and courage to forge ahead.
Macron is set to conclude his state visit to China later on Friday, after having held talks with senior Chinese leaders in Beijing before traveling to Chengdu late on Thursday.
The French president is currently embarking on his fourth state visit to the country, with this being a reciprocal visit following President Xi's historic trip to France last year which came as the two sides marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
The city of Chengdu also has a long-standing relationship with France. In 1981, Chengdu and France's Montpellier became the first pair of sister cities between the two countries.
Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu
