Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Thursday that his government is to earmark 50 million HK dollars (US$6.4 million) to fund the mainland's research on SARS.
Tung noted that the government are currently working for the details with the central government for the donation.
Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland are closely connected with each other, which spells for the necessity of cooperation in the fight against infectious diseases, including the efforts in the research field, he said.
Tung made the announcement after visiting the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong earlier Thursday, where he talked with the vice chancellors and professors engaged in the medical research on SARS.
Tung praised the medical researchers at the two institutions for being "really somewhat the best in Asia," as they were the first in the world to unravel the mystery of SARS virus, and their dedication in the battle against the deadly virus.
On behalf of all the residents in Hong Kong, Tung extended their thanks to those medical workers.
The Hong Kong government has always attached great importance to education and the development of science and technology, and its investment in this regard has paid off, he remarked.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)
