Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday expressed his gratitude towards Hong Kong people for providing relief to earthquake victims in Sichuan province.

Wen said while visiting Qushan county that he was thankful for the support and concern of Hong Kong people, Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

Wen urged Hong Kong people to be confident that the nation will be able to overcome the disaster under the leadership of the State Council.

In Hong Kong, the Legislative Council Finance Committee passed a government proposal to donate HK$300 million to the earthquake victims through a disaster relief headquarters on the mainland and HK$50 million to major relief organizations.

A minute of silence was observed at the start of the meeting.

Legislators from across the political spectrum, including those from the Democratic Party, Liberal Party, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, and Civic Party, supported the move.

Civic Party legislator Audrey Eu praised the government for being efficient.

"I think the government has taken speedy action this time. It informed us of the meeting on Tuesday night, and then the meeting is held today," she said.

Director of Administration Jennifer Mak said the government may propose injecting more money into the disaster relief fund in the future.

"We have talked to the relief groups and estimated that they would need HK$50 million. We will closely monitor the situation, and will ask for more funds from the Finance Committee when it is necessary," she said.

Community members also pledged donations.

City University president Kuo Way urged students and staff to be sympathetic with the earthquake victims.

Polytechnic University president Timothy Tong said he will donate HK$100,000 to the victims.

He urged students and staff to make donations via bank transfer or donation boxes placed throughout the campus.

Hong Kong Institute of Education Students' Union will organize a show today, which includes singing and dance performances, to raise fund for the victims.

A Social Welfare Department spokesman said yesterday that the department had received 21 applications and granted eight of them permits to raise funds for people affected by the earthquake.

The department would process all applications as quickly as possible and issue permits to organizations that satisfy the relevant requirements, the spokesman added.

The Immigration Department said they had received 88 requests for assistance and 306 enquiries since the earthquake. Communications were established for 43 among the 88 requests.

Hongkong Post announced yesterday that they had been advised by China Post that mail delivery to and from Sichuan and nearby provinces and cities would be delayed as postal operations have been greatly affected.

Meanwhile, a study tour group of 150 students and teachers from the Chinese International School that went to Chengdu and Xi'an came back yesterday, two days ahead of their schedule.

Tourists coming back to Hong Kong from Chengdu said they were relieved that they were safe.

(HK Edition 05/15/2008 page1)