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Flags on all government buildings in the Hong Kong SAR will be flown at half mast tomorrow to follow the national mourning of those who died in the earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai Province, a Government spokesman said today (April 20).
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, will lead principal officials and senior officers to observe one minute of silence in mourning at the Central Government Offices compound at 9.30am tomorrow (April 21).
The Tourism Commission will suspend "A Symphony of Lights" tomorrow night.
Mr Tsang extends his sympathy to the earthquake victims and calls on the public to express their feelings tomorrow in appropriate ways.
The Government will seek approval from the Legislative Council Finance Committee on Friday for a supplementary provision of $130 million for the Disaster Relief Fund to provide emergency relief to the earthquake victims.
Of the amount, $100 million will be donated to the Provincial Government of Qinghai as contribution to their disaster relief work. The remainder is to provide a buffer in the Fund for applications from non-governmental organisations (NGO).
On the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee, the Government has already approved a grant of $4.5 million from the Fund for an NGO to provide emergency relief to the victims.
Ends/Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:06
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