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Hong Kong's four offices in the Mainland have stepped up vigilance and strengthened their liaison with the relevant Mainland authorities in the light of severe snowstorms that cause widespread chaos in some Mainland provinces.
The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Beijing, and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Chengdu, Guangdong and Shanghai have each established emergency contacts with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and public security bureaux in their respective jurisdictions and have put in place contingency plans with a duty officer on round-the-clock standby during the Lunar New Year break.
These offices stand ready to help Hong Kong residents who are in need of assistance because of snowstorms. Their websites have now been hyperlinked to the Immigration Department's Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit. Anyone requiring help is advised to call (852)1868.
Meanwhile, these offices would maintain close contact with relevant Government bureaux and departments in the HKSAR, reporting to them the latest developments in the Mainland with regard to the snowstorms.
The offices have also been in touch with major Hong Kong trade and business associations with investments in various parts of the Mainland, urging them to do as much as possible for workers stranded by the snowstorms and raising funds to help victims.
Ends/Sunday, February 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:15
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