Chongqing - Chongqing Municipality in Southwest China has received donations more than RMB362 million from home and abroad, according to the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, and a press conference on the prevention and control of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on February 3, 2020.

Staff members are carrying donated supplies. (Photo by the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan compatriots assist Chongqing

In the past few days, people from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan have provided assistance to Chongqing for epidemic prevention and control.

Yu Zezhong, Chongqing-appointed adviser for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, and chairman of the Yingguan Holding Group donated a batch of medical supplies, which had arrived Monday. The shipment of medical disinfection materials he gave was valued at more than 110,000 yuan. Mak, a Chongqing-appointed adviser for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs and founder of Richful Deyong Group, donated HK$ 500,000 to Chongqing on February 1. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Tai Wo Enterprises Development purchased 1.9 million masks from Vietnam and donated them to Chongqing to fight the epidemic. 

Many Taiwanese businesspeople have also donated to help Chongqing fight against novel coronavirus. For example, Tingyi Holdings donated more than 9,000 barrels of instant noodles and more than 13,000 bottles of drinks. Sino Horizon Holdings ASE Center reduced 50% of the rent and property costs of cooperative businesses.

A relevant director at the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office thanked the people in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan for their care and support for Chongqing. All donated disinfection supplies arrived in Chongqing will be sent to the front line epidemic prevention and control following the law.

More than 362 Million Yuan donations received, more are coming

At the press conference on the prevention and control of 2019-nCoV Monday, relevant persons in charge of the Chongqing Civil Affairs Bureau, Red Cross Society of China Chongqing Branch, and Chongqing Charity Federation announced their acceptance during the epidemic period.

Xu Jianhua, a member of the party committee and deputy director of the Chongqing Civil Affairs Bureau, said that as of 15:00 local time on February 2, 2020, Chongqing had received a total of 362.193 million yuan, with 361,141,000 yuan from the Chinese mainland, 1.052 million yuan from overseas. Xu also noted that charitable organizations are required to register the funds and supplies raised, strictly manage them, use them exclusively, and accept the supervision of donors and the society, according to relevant administrative measures.

Li Ruyuan, secretary party Committee and executive vice-chairman of the Red Cross Society of China Chongqing Branch, said that as of 15:00 on February 2, Chongqing Branch had received 186 million yuan in various forms and signed donation agreements worth 11.21 million with enterprises and individuals. At present, 96.005 million yuan has been spent, of which 50 million yuan was used for designated hospitals in Chongqing.

According to its vice president Kuang Youzhi, the Chongqing Charity Federation had raised funds and materials worth 114 million yuan, and 102 million yuan had been spent for epidemic prevention and control. "We have publicized the relevant revenue and expenditure on the official website of the Chongqing Charity Federation, (Twitter-like) Weibo and other channels for the first time." Kuang said, "At the same time, we also have dedicated storage warehouses, personnel, and a clear division of labor. A 300-square-meter warehouse and a spare warehouse have been prepared."