China floods: Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li donates 10 million yuan to stricken Henan as government advisers consider using disaster relief fund to help
- The billionaire son of Li Ka-shing becomes latest local heavyweight to join fundraising efforts by business and political groups, celebrities
- City’s disaster fund has a reserve of about HK$100 million and was used to help flood victims in Jiangxi province in September
Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li Tzar-kai has donated 10 million yuan (US$1.54 million) to help Henan after the central province in mainland China was devastated by heavy rains and flooding, becoming the latest local heavyweight to join fundraising drives by the city’s business and political groups.
Li, the younger son of property tycoon Li Ka-shing, on Saturday expressed condolences to the affected residents across the border as Hong Kong government advisers were considering using the city’s official Disaster Relief Fund to support those struggling in the tragedy.
Zhengzhou, Henan’s provincial capital, was battered by several days of heavy rain, causing floods of an intensity not seen in decades. The official death toll from the flooding had risen to at least 56 on Friday, and local authorities said more than 3 million people had been affected.
Ip Kwok-him, who sits on the Disaster Relief Fund’s advisory committee, said the panel discussed the situation in Henan during a regular meeting on Thursday and agreed to contact the Hong Kong government’s liaison unit in the province to keep an eye out for any NGOs requiring assistance.
“I think we should show support. If any group needs help, the committee will deal with their applications accordingly,” Ip said.
