The Hong Kong Jockey Club donates HK$20 million to assist flood-hit Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Northeast China

18/08/2023 17:15

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) announced today (18 August) the donation of HK$20 million to help with flood relief in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Northeast China. This follows the devastating floods which have hit the region in recent weeks. The Club’s donation is being co-ordinated via the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (“CLO”).

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges today attended the cheque presentation ceremony at the Liaison Office in Hong Kong and expressed his deepest concern for the flood-hit regions. Lu Xinning, Deputy Director of the CLO and Zhang Guoyi, Deputy Director-General of Department of Publicity Cultural and Sports Affairs of the CLO, attended the presentation ceremony and took receipt of the cheque.

The CLO expressed gratitude for the Club’s support, noting that it vividly exhibits the spirit of mutual help shared by people in Hong Kong and the Mainland whenever there is a need.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “The floods have brought distress and adversity to many families, affecting lives and livelihoods. Our thoughts go out to all those who have been adversely affected by this devastating disaster. Through our emergency contribution, the Club hopes to support relief work in the affected areas and to help flood victims rebuild their homes.”

The Club has provided emergency funding support for many previous disasters in the Mainland, including HK$1 billion towards reconstruction in Sichuan Province following the earthquake in 2008 and HK$20 million for flood relief in Zhengzhou City in Henan Province in 2021.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2021/22, the Club returned a total of HK$33.6 billion to the community. This included HK$27.0 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$6.6 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.