********************************************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (May 12) attended a commemoration to mark the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan, and urged the people of Hong Kong to continue to support the relief and redevelopment work in the area.
Mr and Mrs Tsang, together with senior government officials and members from various sectors in the territory, observed a minute of silence at 2.28pm - the precise moment a year ago when the disaster struck - after visiting a photo exhibition on Sichuan post-earthquake redevelopment at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Mr Tsang said: "A year has passed since the Wenchuan earthquake, which caused great destruction and loss of tens of thousands of lives.
"While many houses have been rebuilt, recovery of broken hearts will take much, much longer. Last Sunday, which was Mother's Day, the media featured many stories of mothers losing their kids and kids losing their mother in the earthquake. Like all of you, I was saddened by those stories. I am sure those stories touched the hearts of many in Hong Kong too.
"I deeply thank the organisers of today's photo exhibition, and I have to thank the media as a whole for giving us a comprehensive update on the latest development in the quake-hit areas.
"Indeed, we have never forgotten about Sichuan. Hong Kong has been a keen participant in the post-quake rescue and reconstruction work. I salute all of those who have shown their loving hearts whether by making donations, or actually serving in Sichuan in the rescue and reconstruction work.
"I also thank members of the Legislative Council for allocating funds for this cause, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its $1 billion donation. Together, they make up a total of $7 billion and this has been assembled for the support of Sichuan's reconstruction work.
"I personally will continue to work towards arranging another visit by members of the Legislative Council to Sichuan, so that they can see for themselves the progress of the reconstruction in which Hong Kong has played a part.
"While the forces of nature can set families and friends apart, the power of love brings people together. I hope every one of us in Hong Kong will continue to show our care for the people in Sichuan, who are gradually recovering from the traumatic experience a year ago."
Those who attended the ceremony included the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Gao Siren, and Deputy Director, Li Gang; Deputy Commissioner of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People's Republic Of China in the HKSAR, Zhan Yongxin; Commander of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Major General Zhang Shibao; Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Stephen Lam; Secretary for Home Affairs, Tsang Tak-sing; Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung; Director of Information Services, Betty Fung, and Under Secretary for the Environment, Kitty Poon Kit.
The photo exhibition, organised by Wen Wei Po with the support of the Information Services Department, features stories of earthquake victims and Sichuan redevelopment.
The exhibition will open between May 12 and 15 at the foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Ends/Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:09
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format