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"As the world is gripped by the developments of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), health care workers in Hong Kong and Canada are at the forefront of this battle," the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO), Mrs. Rosanna Ure, said today (May 2, Toronto time).
"Their dedication, compassion, courage and professionalism has been the source of inspiration for both Hong Kong and Canadian citizens. This selfless commitment is exemplified, sadly, by the recent death of a nurse in Hong Kong."
"Our healthcare workers have personified the best of human qualities. The HKETO is more than pleased to pledge our whole-hearted support to the healthcare professionals in both Hong Kong and Canada."
Mrs Ure said this at the launch of a two-week nation-wide electronic signature campaign to show appreciation to the healthcare professionals in Hong Kong and Canada involved in the fight against SARS.
Apart from HKETO, the campaign is sponsored by the alumni associations of the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Polytechnic University and the Baptist University in Vancouver and Toronto. Other organisations pledging their support are Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Chinese Cultural Center of Greater Toronto and the Community Coalition Concerned About SARS in Toronto.
Also supporting the campaign are the Ontario Health Ministry and Health Ministry of British Columbia. The initial list of supporting organisations include the Toronto Board of Trade, the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Women's Law Society of Ontario, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Canada Business Association (HKCBA), Simon Fraser University, the Canadian Club of Vancouver and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce in British Columbia.
Joining Mrs Ure to officiate at today's ceremony was Dr P Y Lam, Deputy Director of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who is also a key figure in Hong Kong's fight against SARS.
Representing the four alumni associations at the launching ceremony were the President of the Alumni Association of the University of Hong Kong in Ontario, Mr Tim Cheng; Chairperson of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Eastern Canada) Association, Mrs Paula Tsang; Vice-President of Hong Kong Baptist University Alumni Association, Mr Kenneth Chan and President of Federation of Alumni Association of Chinese University of Hong Kong (Ontario), Mr Francis Kao. HKCBA, which is one of the staunch supporters of the campaign, was represented by its National Chair, Mr Peter Yeung.
Members of the general public are welcomed to signify their support to the signature campaign by signing their names on the message board at HKETO's official website www.hketo.ca before May 16, 2003.
The Vancouver campaign was kicked off yesterday at Parker Place, Richmond. The Mayor of Richmond City, Mr. Malcolm Brodie, was the first to sign his name as a gesture of the city's support.
The Chinese media in Canada are also giving full support to spread the message throughout the community. They include the Fairchild Media Group, Sing Tao Daily, Ming Pao Daily, Chin Sing Tao Radio and Montreal's Radio Chinoise de L'Amerique du Nord.
End/Saturday, May 3, 2003
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