Mr. Vivian Lee, Chairman of SRDC, and Dr. Ching Wai Kuen, Hospital Chief Executive of DKCH, received the cheque in the amount of HK$139,888 from Ambassador Amikam Levy, Consul General of Israel in Hong Kong, in the presence of Dr. York Chow Yat-ngok, Secretary for Food and Health, the guest of honour.
Dr. Chow paid an official visit to Israel in 2010 to learn about Israel’s healthcare system and medical R&D. This successful visit, together with the subsequent visit of a group of Hong Kong medical experts to Israel, and in return the participation of Israeli medical professionals in the Hospital Authority’s seminars in Hong Kong, had greatly enhanced the exchange of knowledge and experience between the two places.
Traditionally, the Consulate General of Israel in Hong Kong celebrates Israel’s Independence Day every year with a reception for guests such as the diplomatic corps, government officials, business and media sectors, as well as the Jewish and Israeli communities. This year, Ambassador Levy has decided to make a contribution from the budget fund of the Independence Day celebration to the needy people in Hong Kong.
Ambassador Levy said that the amount of the donation has a special meaning: the number “18” means “life” in Hebrew; while “3” is also “life” in Chinese. And the numbers “888” is triple luck in Chinese. Judaism, the religion of the Jewish people, attaches great importance to "Netina" – giving, appreciating, and understanding. The donation is in itself a translation of this value into reality.
It is also a token of appreciation for the close friendship between Israel and Hong Kong. Israel and Hong Kong have been enjoying a longtime and valuable bilateral relationship. The Consulate General of Israel has already been established in Hong Kong for over 25 years. This year, Israel and China are commemorating 20 years of diplomatic relations.