A local newspaper in Hong Kong inaugurated a photo exhibition on Tuesday, the one-year anniversary of the magnitude 8.0 earthquake that killed over 67, 000 in the Chinese mainland province of Sichuan and elsewhere.
A minute of silence was observed at 2:28 p.m., the precise moment when the disaster struck a year ago, by Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and senior officials of the HKSAR government.
Gao Siren, director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government, and members from various sectors also joined them commemorate the earthquake victims.
Hong Kong has been a keen participant in the post-quake rescue and reconstruction work, contributing billions of dollars and expert services since shortly after the quake.
Five people who lost their arms or legs in the earthquake but were able to stand up again on prostheses thanks to help from volunteer organizations of Hong Kong doctors, were invited to the ceremony to inaugurate the photo exhibition.
While people in Hong Kong have been busy with their own life and work, "we have never forgotten about Sichuan," Tsang said after visiting the Hong Kong photo exhibition on post-quake redevelopment in the quake-struck parts of Sichuan.
Tsang said he would continue to work towards arranging a visit by members of the HKSAR Legislative Council to Sichuan, so that they could see for themselves the progress of the reconstruction in which Hong Kong has played a part.
"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," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2009)
