The tragic fire that engulfed Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Nov. 26 last year touched countless hearts. When news of the disaster spread across borders to Chinese communities at home and abroad, they quickly stepped forward to offer support. A kindergarten in the mainland organised a charity sale where children sold their treasured toys and handmade crafts, donating all the proceeds. A rescue team from the mainland travelled to Hong Kong to provide services, including urgently needed suitcases, cash relief, and essential supplies. Local overseas Chinese associations also actively contributed, raising over HK$1 million, visiting affected compatriots, and distributing health care packages containing medicine. Acts of kindness, big and small, have flowed in from around the world, embodying the profound bond of Chinese people standing together through adversity.
Hangzhou kindergarteners raise over RMB 7,000 through charity sale
Children at Hangzhou Chuyang Kindergarten organised a New Year charity sale after the fire, donating the full RMB 7,135.10 raised to send warmth across a thousand miles to the affected residents. At the sale, the children brought their treasured toys and picture books, displayed handmade crafts, and transformed into "little salespeople", conveying kindness with their tender voices. Though the sum raised was modest, it carried the purest goodwill of these children, vividly illustrating the national spirit of blood ties and mutual support, and sowing the seeds of public-spiritedness in the next generation.
Chongqing rescue team distributes cash and suitcases in Hong Kong
Meanwhile, upon learning of the fire, Che Yicen, a member of the Chongqing Blue Sky Rescue Team, and fellow teammates immediately joined the support effort, staying in Hong Kong for four days and three nights to provide various services. When Che and his teammates arrived at the Tai Po community centre, they found the most pressing need was suitcases. Some affected residents expressed that they very much needed wheeled suitcases to carry supplies and clothes.
Che and his teammates quickly purchased a large number of suitcases and distributed them directly to families in need. They then went door-to-door according to registration records, giving out HK$5,000 in cash relief per person along with urgently needed supplies.
Some residents told the rescue team that in the past, when disasters such as the Wenchuan earthquake and East China floods struck, the whole of Hong Kong had donated money. This time, when Hong Kong was in trouble, they had not expected mainland citizens not only to donate money and goods but also to come to them in person to help. Che also shared a handwritten letter from a resident to the volunteers, which read: "Thank you for your help in this disaster. I extend to you my most sincere gratitude and highest respect." What touched him most was that even when residents were going through their most difficult moments, they still inquired after the well-being of the helpers, deeply moving Che and his teammates.
Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations raises HK$1.56 million
The Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations also activated its emergency response mechanism immediately after the incident. In an interview with Hong Kong Wen Wei Po yesterday (May 6), its President Bonnie Wong said the scenes were still vivid in his mind. He recounted that upon learning of the fire, the Federation immediately checked whether any of its members had been affected, and found seven member families impacted. After successfully contacting them, the Federation visited their homes, providing HK$10,000 in cash relief per person to help cover basic living needs. "On the one hand, they never expected such a serious fire; on the other hand, they didn't expect the Federation to visit so quickly. Knowing that someone cared about them, they felt a little better," Wong said.
The Federation not only raised over HK$1.56 million in donations, but also donated goods tailored to residents' needs. Wong cited the example that some residents had young children, so the Federation donated five strollers to parents in need. When the weather turned cooler, they promptly prepared boxes of hand cream for elderly residents. "In this incident, everyone was very enthusiastic and united. We raised over HK$1.56 million in a short period of time. I hope the affected residents can recover from their trauma and return to normal life as soon as possible," said Wong.
Additionally, overseas Chinese associations, caring enterprises, and individuals from around the world, as well as compatriots from countries including the United States, France, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Myanmar, and South Africa, all extended a helping hand after the incident. Though far from home, they have always kept the motherland and their fellow compatriots close to heart, providing support with concrete actions and embodying a profound bond that knows no borders.
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