Mainland Affairs Council

HOW HONG KONG RESIDENTS RESPONDED TOWARD TAIWAN KILLER EARTHQUAKE:

AN ANALYSIS

December, 1999

●Over several dozen social groups in Hong Kong took the initiative to launch fund-raising campaigns and material donation activities to express their concerns over earthquake victims.

●The government of Hong Kong sent a 16-member rescue mission to Taiwan to participate in the relief work. As the mission failed to accomplish much in the relief work, Hong Kong media believed the mission was intentionally neglected by our government.

A. Responses from all quarters

1. Private Sector

●Couple dozens of civic bodies led by Chinese Youth Association of Hong Kong issued an open letter to console earthquake-stricken victims of Taiwan.

●Several dozens of civic bodies in Hong Kong launched a fund-raising campaign and material donation activity to express their concerns over earthquake victims in Taiwan. It is estimated that the funds raised had reached over tens of millions in Hong Kong dollars, including donations from individuals and civic bodies. Apart from the pro-Taiwan civic bodies, civic bodies that are pro-Mainland China also joined the fund-raising campaign. Funds raised by the pro-communist civic bodies were forwarded to Taiwan through the Red Cross Association of China via Hong Kong office of Xinhua News Agency.

●Medical team in three echelons from Hong Kong led by physician Lau Manyau and nurse Yin Sokfan visited Taiwan to offer assistance in treatment of earthquake-stricken victims.

2. Official Sector

●Both the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region and the Legislative Council issued open letter to express their concerns over earthquake victims. (see Appendix I)

●Rescue teams are dispatched to assist local teams in rescue work.

On September 22, 1999, the government of Hong Kong dispatched a 16-member rescue mission to Taiwan to help local rescue work. The mission, led by Sr. Divisional Officer of the Fire Services Department Deng Dakchun, was the first rescue team ever sent abroad from Hong Kong. Composed of firefighters and medical personnel, the team arrived in Taiwan on September 23. At the time, there were hundreds of rescue workers from over a dozen of countries already on the scene. After having been briefed of the situation, the Hong Kong team proceeded to work on the octor Home?in Hsinchuang and later, following consultation with our Rescue Center, decided to withdraw and returned to Hong Kong on September 25, 1999. Upon its return, the team was awarded a Second Degree citation by the Fire Service Department of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Mainland Affairs Council also wrote Mr. Paul Yip, special advisor to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, expressing our heartfelt thanks.

●HK$8.62 million donation from The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee of Hong Kong

The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee of Hong Kong, founded in 1993 with representatives from the administrative and legislative and judicial fields and chaired by The Chief Secretary for Administration The Honorable Mrs. Anson Chan, J.P., approved on September 24, September 28 and October 4, 1999 respectively applications by Hong Kong Salvation Army, The World Vision Hong Kong, The Association of Chinese Evangelical Ministry Limited and the Red Cross Association of Hong Kong for donations to earthquake-stricken victims in Taiwan for a total amount of HK$8.62 million. (HKSAR Press Release, September 24, 1999; Wen Wei Po, September 29, 1999; HKSAR Press Release, October 4, 1999)

3. Media

Since the devastating earthquake hit Taiwan on September 21, 1999, media reports in Hong Kong have been widespread. The coverage primarily include:

●Overall situation of the earthquake

●Government attitude of both sides of the Taiwan Strait toward rescue work:

Some media believe that because the two governments are still hostile toward each other, the attitude toward rescue work stand opposite between the two sides. Some even went further to criticize the way the rescue work is being conducted based on conventional political thinking.

●The timing of sending Hong Kong rescue team to Taiwan was questioned as it appeared a little too late.

●Some raised the question that the Hong Kong team had been deliberately neglected by their Taiwan host.

Reports of the Hong Kong rescue mission in Taiwan are as follows:

<Hong Kong rescue mission was deliberately neglected by Taiwan government for political consideration. (Sing Tao Daily, September 25; Hong Kong Economic Daily, September 25; Hong Kong Commercial Daily, September 25; Express News political Consideration from Governments on both side of the Strait Spoils Rescue Operation? September 27; Hong Kong Economic Journal Hong Kong Rescue Mission Has Become A political Sacrifice? September 28; The Sun rescue Mission Ignored by Legislative Councilor Li Wahming of Democratic Party? September 29.

<Despatch of Hong Kong rescue team to Taiwan has greater symbolic meaning than what it looks on the surface. (Apple Daily i Yi Column? September 28)

<Ill-treatment of Hong Kong rescue team was due to inefficient arrangement by local rescue center, and not the intentional negligence of Taiwan government. (Min Pao interview with Mr. Paul Yip, Special Advisor to the Chief Executive of HKSAR? September 26)

<Government decision-making mechanism acts too slow in despatching the rescue team to Taiwan. (Tin Tin Daily News, September 25, Express News, September 26, Apple Daily, September 28, Min Pao, September 28)

<Questioning about whether the equipment carried by the Hong Kong team was adequate. (Media interview with MAC Director Tsai of the Department of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, September 27, 1999)

B. An overall analysis

1. Enthusiastic response from the private sector is beneficial to the ever increasing friendship between people of Taiwan and Hong Kong

In recent years, the economic condition of Hong Kong has been in general decline as a result of the Asia financial crisis. With its unemployment rate standing at a high 6.3%, Hong Kong residents are indeed generous to offer help to Taiwan earthquake-stricken victims. Their concerns over Taiwan presidents have improved the relationship between residents of the two localities, which, in turn, could act to alleviate any resistance in normal relations between the two regions. Somehow, it must be noted that the excessive pan-political report on the frustrated withdrawal of Hong Kong rescue mission as reported in Hong Kong media could be detrimental to the development of future Taiwan and Hong Kong relations. As such, we must take the first opportunity to clarify this misunderstanding so that the relations between residents of the two regions will not be hurt.

2. The occasion can help Hong Kong government set up a speedy decision-making mechanism and offer experience related to rescue operation

Hong Kong is less than one hour away from Taiwan by air. However, it took the government 36 hours to make its decision to send its rescue mission to Taiwan. Compared to other countries, the decision-making process took too long. In this regard, Hong Kong media had openly criticized the slow response by the government, thus creating an invisible pressure upon the government. Nonetheless, the event may help promote a speedy decision-making mechanism in Hong Kong government future operation. Mr. Hong-chaio Huang, Deputy Secretary for Security, said at the welcome home party at the airport, upon the return of the Hong Kong rescue team, he trip to Taiwan will benefit firefighters and medical personnel in handling disasters in future (HKSAR Press Release, September 25). This is to say that the despatch of rescue workers to Taiwan proves the experience will be beneficial to the Hong Kong administration.

Appendix I Chronology of Major Hong Kong Reactions Toward the Devastating Earthquake in Taiwan

Date	Description	Source
Sept. 21	●Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa expressed concerns over Taiwan earthquake ●Mrs. Regina Ip, Secretary for Security, said that the SAR government would provide all possible assistance, including issuance of emergency visa and appropriate arrangements at the entry/exit port, to enable Hong Kong residents in Taiwan a speedy return. The HKSAR government will also facilitate Hong Kong residents to visit Taiwan through the arrangement with China Travel Service.	HKSAR Press Release 9/21   HKSAR Press Release 9/21
Sept. 22	The Hong Kong government announced it would send a 16-member rescue mission to Taiwan. The team, the first ever rescue mission dispatched abroad from Hong Kong, is led by Sr. Divisional Officer of the Fire Services Department Deng Dakchun and composed of firefighters and medical personnel.	HKSAR Press Release 9/22
Sept. 23	●The Hong Kong rescue mission arrived in Taiwan, carrying two sets each of life sonar, gaseous sonar, demolition and rescue equipment. ●Democratic Party and seven other civic bodies launched a fund-raising campaign to help earthquake-stricken victims in Taiwan. ●HKSAR Government Information Coordinator Stephen Lam expressed that relief of Taiwan earthquake-stricken victims may be conducted through applications by the private sector through government-funded Disaster Relief Fund.	HKSAR Press Release 9/22 HKSAR Press Release 9/23 Wen Wei Po, 9/24
Sept. 24	●Protect Tiaoyutai Action Committee and seven other civic bodies launched a fund-raising campaign to help earthquake-stricken victims in Taiwan. ●Chairman Leong Che-hung of the Legislative Council House Committee extended the Legislative Council concerns over earthquake-stricken victims in Taiwan. ●The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee of Hong Kong appropriated HK$2.5 million to Hong Kong Salvation Army for relief of earthquake-stricken victims in Taiwan. ●Hong Kong rescue team started rescue work on site at octor Home?Building at Hsinchuang.	HKSAR Press Release 9/24 Press Release of the Secretariat of the Legislative Council, 9/24 HKSAR Press Release 9/24   Min Pao, 9/26
Sept. 25	●Hong Kong rescue mission returned to Hong Kong and donated 6 tents and 16 sleeping bags before departure. ●At the elcome Home?press conference of the Hong Kong rescue team, Deputy Secretary for Security Mr. Hong-Chiou Huang said that the rescue mission to Taiwan should be helpful in handling disasters in the future. The team had actually accomplished its ultimate objective by conveying the concerns of Hong Kong residents and the government over Taiwan earthquake-stricken victims. ●Hong Kong rescue team leader Deng Dakchun expressed no feelings of being neglected in Taiwan.	Sing Tao Daily, 9/28   HKSAR Press Release 9/25   Min Pao, 9/26

Date	Description	Source
Sept. 26	●In a media interview, Special Advisor to the Chief Executive of HKSAR Mr. Paul Yip said the failure of Hong Kong rescue mission was due to the inefficient arrangement by local rescue center, and not the intentional negligence of Taiwan government. ●Cable TV network launched end Warmth to Taiwan?fund-raising campaign, netting approximately HK$10 million.	Min Pao, 9/27   Sing Tao Daily, 9/27
Sept. 27	●Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government issued citation to members of the Hong Kong rescue mission. ●Director Tsai of the Department of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, MAC stated reception of the Hong Kong rescue mission by MAC was totally out of consideration for rescue work and hoped media in Hong Kong not to pan-politicize the event.	Apple Daily, 9/28   Commercial Times, 9/28
Sept. 28	●The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee of Hong Kong appropriated HK$3.12 million to The World Vision Hong Kong for relief of earthquake-stricken victims in Taiwan.	Wen Wei Po, 9/29
Sept. 29	●Hong Kong Physician Lau Manyan and his party arrived in Taiwan to join medical treatment work.	TV Report, 9/29
Oct. 4	●The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee of Hong Kong appropriated HK$1 million to The Association of Chinese Evangelical Ministry Limited and HK$2 million to The Red Cross Association of Hong Kong for relief of earthquake-stricken victims in Taiwan.	HKSAR Press Release, 10/4
Oct. 14	●Representatives of The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, Cable TV, and Federation of Taiwan Business and Industry that organized the Donation Hand-over Delegation of Hong Kong arrived in Taiwan to hand over HK$56.6 million for disaster relief of earthquake-stricken victims. The donation was accepted in person by Primer Vicent Siew.	Express News, 10/15
Oct. 16	●Hong Kong Physician Lau Manyan and his party arrived in Taiwan to join medical treatment work. ●Democratic Party Chairman Martin Chuming Lee and deputy Chairman Yueng Sum arrived in Taiwan for a visit. They had extended their concern on behalf of the Democratic Party over the devastating earthquake that took place on Sept. 21. The two also carried with them the signatory banner signed by Hong Kong residents and consolation cards from the Democratic Party, expressing concern over victims stricken by the earthquake.	TV Report, 10/16   Sing Tao Daily, 10/19
Oct. 21	●Hong Kong Physician Lau Manyan, nurse Yin Sokfan and the other person arrived in Taiwan to join medical treatment work.	TV Report, 10.21