HKJC signs memorandums of understanding for four post-earthquake reconstruction projects, bringing new hopes to Sichuan

7 November 2008

The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Sichuan Provincial Government today (7 November) signed two memorandums of understanding that define preliminary details and arrangements for the Club!|s participation in four reconstruction projects to be implemented in the worst earthquake-affected areas of Sichuan, namely Mianyang, Deyang and Dujiangyan. The four Club-funded projects will cost a total of RMB400 million and are expected to be completed within 27 months, benefiting more than one million people every year.

Officiating guests at the signing ceremony included Club Chairman John C C Chan, Vice Minister of the State Sport General Administration Wang Jun, Executive Vice-Governor of Sichuan Province Wei Hong and Hong Kong SAR Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang.  The memorandums that realise the implementation of the four initial reconstruction projects were signed by Club Executive Director of Corporate Development Kim Mak, Deputy Director of Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission Liu Yuan and Director of Sichuan Provincial Physical Culture Bureau Zhu Ling, with Hong Kong's Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Joshua Law and attending guests serving as witnesses.  The four projects, which focus on medical and education services, are: 1) reconstruction and expansion of rehabilitation facilities at Mianyang 3rd City Hospital; 2) reconstruction of the Mianyang Youxian Zhongxing Junior Middle School; 3) construction of new buildings at Deyang No.5 Middle School; and 4) extension of the Dujiangyan Middle School to become an Olympic School.

Mr Chan said that at the current stage, the most important consideration was rebuilding the lives of Sichuan people, especially the younger generation and their families, and bringing them new hope.  "We particularly hope to introduce special rehabilitation facilities in hospitals and schools, to enable young people disabled by injuries from the earthquake to resume their studies as soon as possible and continue their rehabilitation therapy at the same time," he stressed.

The Club has decided to commit funding to the four reconstruction projects after site visits and careful assessment.  The projects will not only provide medical services, education and professional sports development but also introduce special rehabilitation facilities in hospitals and schools, to enable young people disabled by injuries from the earthquake to resume their studies as soon as possible.  It is the Club's aim to help young handicapped people re-integrate into society and employment, and to contribute to the sustainable development of Sichuan province.

The first phase of reconstruction projects includes an extension of the existing Dujiangyan Middle School into an Olympic School, involving the building of a new training complex, a 40,000-ft² outdoor sports venue and a teaching complex, as well as student quarters and other facilities.

Mr Chan observed that the earthquake had severely affected the training of athletes in Sichuan province.  "We have therefore decided to fund the construction of an Olympic School in Dujiangyan providing general education as well as sports training with the aim of nurturing a new generation of well-educated athletes," he said.

The Club will assist the Sichuan Provincial Government in operating the four reconstruction projects on a project basis.  The local authorities will be responsible for day-to-day management and supervision work while the Club can request the setting up of an independent committee and commission professionals to scrutinise the construction project data as required.  They can also pay visits to the construction sites to monitor progress.

A day earlier, Mr Chan visited students in the hard-hit county of Deyang to better understand their learning needs and situation.  He gave away stationery to the students, encouraging them to study hard and take a proactive approach to facing adversities.

The Sichuan earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale, claimed 69,100 lives in May.  A total of 18,400 people went missing and a population of more than 15 million was affected.  Among the worst-hit areas were Beichuan in Mianyang City and Mianzhu in Deyang City.  On the day the disaster struck, the Club made an emergency contribution of HK$30 million to the Red Cross of China to support immediate relief.  The Club also launched a public appeal which raised an additional HK$9.5 million.  In July, the Club pledged to contribute a further HK$1 billion towards suitable post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Sichuan.