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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (May 8) attended a ceremony in Shenzhen to receive a gift of medical supplies from the Central Government intended to help prevent the spread of atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong.
Representing the Central Government, State Councillor Mr Tang Jiaxuan officially handed over the supplies to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Mr Tang said that since the onset of the disease, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, under the leadership of Mr Tung, had united the various sectors of the community to combat the disease calmly and effectively. He said Hong Kong had achieved positive results in the areas of treatment, prevention and control.
On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and all Hong Kong citizens, Mr Tung expressed profound gratitude and respect to the Central Government and all Mainland compatriots.
After the ceremony, Mr Tung met Mr Tang to give a detailed account of the latest developments in the battle against the disease in Hong Kong.
Mr Tang conveyed to Mr Tung the following messages from President Hu Jintao:
* President Hu reiterated that the Central Government was highly concerned about the health and well-being of Hong Kong residents.
* President Hu highly commended the work of Mr Tung and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in leading Hong Kong residents in the fight against atypical pneumonia.
* The Central Government will continue to provide full support and assistance to Hong Kong with a view to winning the battle against the disease.
Mr Tung then met with the Guangdong Governor, Mr Huang Huahua, and the Shenzhen Mayor, Mr Yu Youjun. They updated each other on their efforts to curb the disease and discussed how to step up co-operation and take measures that would help the economic and social life of Guangdong and Hong Kong return to normal.
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr E K Yeoh, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr W K Lam, also attended the meeting.
End/Thursday, May 8, 2003
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