The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government vowed Tuesday to provide necessary relief, including a 300 million HK dollars (38. 46 million U.S. dollars) emergency appropriation fund, for quake victims in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters here that the departments of health and fire service of the HKSAR government had organized an emergency joint rescue team to await orders for relief efforts in the quake-hit areas.

An emergency meeting will be convened on Wednesday by the Legislative Council to pass the HKSAR government's application for the 300 million HK dollars emergent relief appropriation.

Tsang added that a medical volunteer team was also formed by the Hospital Authority and the Medical Auxiliary to stand by for further relief calls.

He also called on every citizen and every institution in Hong Kong to extend their helping hands to organize and participate in the rescue efforts for those victims in the Chinese mainland.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)