Party paper claims most Hong Kong people back Sichuan quake aid
People's Daily attacks earthquake donation delay but opponents vow to stay firm
A Communist Party mouthpiece weighed into the HK$100 million Sichuan quake relief controversy yesterday, claiming that only "a minority of Hong Kong people" were against the donation.
The article in yesterday's overseas edition of People's Daily comes amid government plans to make a second application for the funding to the Legislative Council's special financial committee on Friday.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's plan for a HK$100 million donation to Sichuan's earthquake victims was delayed last week amid concerns that the funds could be misused by corrupt mainland officials.
Titled "Can their arguments stand?", People's Daily quoted a Wen Wei Po piece accusing some opponents of politicising the donation, as well as the South China Morning Post's leader on April 24 titled "Don't let doubts halt quake aid".
It also cited Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's appeals for lawmakers' support.
"No one in Hong Kong questioned the aid to Japan after the earthquake in 2011, even though Japan is a rich country. Whether or not the recipient is wealthy is not a necessary consideration for a donation," the article said.