Chinese Premier Commends HK SARS Fighting Heroes

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 01, 2003

Chinese Premier Commends HK SARS Fighting Heroes

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended Monday a ceremony of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government praising SARS fighting heroes of medical profession and other circles.

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended Monday a ceremony of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government commending Hong Kong SARS fighting heroes of medical profession and other circles.

"On behalf of the Central Government, I wish to pay high tribute to all those who have made remarkable contribution to the successful campaign against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)," Premier Wen told a group of Hong Kong health care workers and representatives from other circles.

He extended the Central Government's most heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in the epidemic.

Wen said that during the three-month long SARS storm, Hong Kong health workers fought the disease with extraordinary courage and selfless devotion, its science experts raced against time to tackle problems and seek solutions, its citizens waged a united battle against the epidemic with one heart and one mind, and its government faithfully fulfilled its duties and commitment to the people.

"It is such unprecedented solidarity that has enabled Hong Kong to prevail (the fight against SARS)," said Wen.

He recalled Doctor Tse Yuen-man and other health workers who have sacrificed their lives in the hard battle against SARS, saying that their great names, heroic deeds and glorious virtues will live in people's heads forever.

Wen told HK people that the national cohesion fostered in a calamity would make the nation stronger and drive it forward.

He said that people in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan fought the disease shoulder by shoulder in a spirit of mutual assistance, while Chinese descendants across the world lent a helping hand to their brothers and sisters in China.

"Blood is thicker than water. Such bond of kinship stands a perfect witness to the strong cohesion and vitality of the Chinese nation," Wen said.

Wen said that the outbreak of SARS has cost dearly, but it has also given people many valuable revelations, including the importance of harmony between economic and social progress, that between urban and rural development, a harmonious coexistence between man and nature, the building of public health contingency mechanism and a fortified shield to protect the health and life of the people.

Before attending the ceremony, Wen impressed Hong Kong residents with his relaxed, casual style.

"He's very natural,'' said 45-year-old housewife Connie Wong, who shook Wen's hand during his surprise visit to a French-style sandwich shop.

"He's very friendly,'' she said. "He has a great smile.''

Wen was also welcomed by residents of Amoy Gardens and the healthcare workers at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

The Premier took part in no less than seven activities, on land and sea, on the second day of his visit to Hong Kong.

He began the day with a tour of a container terminal before embarking on a boat trip around the Tsing Ma Bridge and the site of the Disney theme park, which is to be completed in 2005.

Marvelling at the vibrant development, Wen said: "I am very happy about the achievements that Hong Kong has attained. Hong Kong people are proud of this, every Chinese is proud of this.''

Wen later visited Amoy Gardens, where more than 40 residents were killed and about 300 infected by SARS. He went to Block E to see Mr Kwok, whose wife was killed by the disease.

Mrs Kwok was pregnant when she was infected with SARS. The baby boy was delivered by Caesarean section after his mother died.

The Premier expressed his condolences to Mr Kwok.

He then went to Prince of Wales Hospital, where many healthcare workers fell ill in the early stages of the outbreak.

Showing his appreciation of their hard work, Wen wrote on a commemorative plaque a "Tribute to Healthcare Workers,'' signing his name before presenting it to the healthcare workers.

He said he was thankful to the medical workers because they had saved the lives of more than 1,000 people. He was sad to learn that some of them lost their lives after taking care of patients.

In the afternoon, Wen visited the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and was presented with a broker's vest bearing the number 6638.

He also toured the medical faculty of the University of Hong Kong, where he delivered a short speech to about 100 staff and students.

"We should have confidence that we can not only run Hong Kong well but also preserve the prosperity and stability in Hong Kong,'' Wen said.

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