Hong Kong earmarks HK$50m for emergency relief after mudslide hits border port in Xizang

HONG KONG -- John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said on Saturday that HK$50 million ($6.37 million) has been earmarked from the Disaster Relief Fund following a mudslide that hit the Gyirong Port in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region.

In a post on social media, Lee expressed deep sadness over the disaster, mourning the victims and extending his sincere sympathies to those affected and the bereaved families.

Lee hoped that the rescue operations would proceed safely and smoothly, and that the affected residents would receive timely support to overcome the hardships.

He added that the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee will process funding applications expeditiously.