A city-wide campaign to collect cash and material donations for victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province was launched in Hong Kong the day after the news came out on Monday. More than HK$100 million in cash was collected on the first day.

Hong Kong residents are offering people in the quake-stricken areas not just material aid but also heartfelt sympathy and enormous psychological support.

The catastrophe is beyond imagination. Scenes of total destruction are shown on television.

Hong Kong residents' heart goes out to those living in the disaster areas. What do they need right now? And what can we do for them? We the Hongkongers take swift action.

Over the last two days, a ceaseless stream of people from all walks of life lined outside the Central Government's Liaison Office in Hong Kong to donate money and daily necessities.

The Hong Kong SAR government donated 300 million yuan to the central government for use in disaster relief efforts, while many residents went to donate blood.

A team of professional rescuers from medical institutions and fire services is now ready to go to Sichuan at a moment's notice.

Although it is apparently impossible for Hong Kong residents to travel all the way there to help with rescue efforts at the scene, they are doing their best.

This is not the first time Hongkongers are offering a helping hand to victims on the mainland. And the whole nation will never forget what Hong Kong residents did for victims of severe flooding in East and South China, earthquakes in Yunnan province and snowstorms in central and southern China.

Everything Hong Kong residents have donated is proof that blood is thicker than water and will add to the aid flooding into the quake-stricken areas from across the country and all corners of the world. It will form an immeasurable power that will help the victims overcome their difficulties during this difficult time.

(HK Edition 05/15/2008 page1)