Development and exchange scheme to help Sichuan enhance disaster relief and post-disaster management capabilities

11/07/2015

A massive earthquake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale, struck Sichuan Province in 2008. More than 80,000 people were killed and some five million were made homeless. Many of the survivors – including thousands of schoolchildren – became physically handicapped. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“The Club”) made an emergency donation of HK$30 million to support the immediate relief work. It later pledged HK$1 billion towards reconstruction projects in Sichuan.

In November 2008, the Club and the Sichuan Provincial Government signed a memorandum of understanding to help reconstruct three schools and a hospital. In 2010, the Club announced its support for three more projects to establish the first institute of disaster management and reconstruction in the nation to help develop professional skills, to re-establish vocational training, and to enhance critically-needed rehabilitation equipment and professional expertise.

The seven reconstruction projects are Mianyang 3rd City Hospital HKJC Medical Complex, Mianyang Youxian Zhongxing HKJC Junior Middle School, Deyang HKJC No.5 Middle School, Ya'an HKJC Vocational College, Sichuan HKJC Olympic School, Sichuan University – Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction HKJC Building, and Sichuan Provincial 8-1 Rehabilitation Centre.

Through these seven projects, the Club intends to provide for the needs of people of different ages and from all walks of life, encourage them with renewed hope for the future, and unleash their potential to contribute in turn to their communities.

Over the past few years, thanks to concerted efforts by the leaders of Sichuan Province and all parties concerned, once disaster-striken areas have become fully functioning societies once more. Furthermore, through the Sichuan reconstruction projects, the Club and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Sichuan Provincial Peoples’ Government, along with the departments supporting the Sichuan and Hong Kong coordination mechanism, have established a strong basis for co-operation. The reconstruction of the seven Club-funded projects has been successfully completed, and the Club is honoured to have been able to contribute.

To further the cooperation that has been established, the Club and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Sichuan Provincial Peoples’ Government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the use of the remaining funds, with a view to identifying ways of taking forward the seven Club-supported projects and agreed exchange and charitable cooperation.

Building on the successful Sichuan reconstruction experience, the Club, after discussing with the Sichuan Provincial Government and the seven Club-funded projects, will focus the ongoing cooperation on exchanges between Sichuan and Hong Kong, development of professionals and talents in disaster prevention and recovery management, public education on disaster preparedness, and improving teaching standards and facilities. Initiatives will commence in stages in 2016, focusing on exchanges between young people in Sichuan and Hong Kong, training in disaster prevention and recovery management, scholarships, and international forums.

The Club looks forward to maintaining its cooperation with the Sichuan Provincial Government to maximize jointly the social impact of the reconstruction projects.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record $3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.