HK's hearts reach out to Sichuan

As a Hong Kong person living on the mainland, I felt particularly proud that my hometown has mounted what the local media described as a "massive" campaign to raise money and help for the relief of the victims of the earthquake in Sichuan province.

Within days after the earthquake, Hong Kong raised a total of more than HK$600 million, including HK$300 million from the government, and the remaining portion from businesses and private citizens. A fund raiser reported that at one collection point in Causeway Bay, one of Hong Kong's busiest commercial districts, passersby donated about HK$70,000 in cash within three hours.

Hong Kong people have been well-known for their generosity when called upon to donate money to help victims of natural disasters. But this is the first time that so large an amount was given with so much compassion toward relief work outside the city's boundaries.