'Wong Fuk-wing's sacrifice of his life when trying to save others during the earthquake in Yushu county in Qinghai has reflected the greatness of love and the spirit of selflessness,' he said in a written reply to a legislator's question.

The Education Bureau regularly made use of current affairs and virtuous acts in moral education, Tsang said.

The Home Affairs Bureau would promote the volunteer spirit of Wong through documentaries, publications and sponsorship of volunteer programmes.

About 1,000 students and youngsters attended a vigil for Wong at Polytechnic University yesterday.

It was co-organised by more than 80 volunteer and youth groups.

With white candles in their hands, participants observed a minute of silence.

Wong Yuet-sau, his sister, thanked the public for their support and recognition of the volunteer.

'He shouldn't have thought about sacrificing himself ... He wasn't a martyr or a hero,' she said.

Most people would have helped rescue others if they were in the middle of a disaster like Wong.

Three organisations presented cheques worth a total of HK$700,000 to the central government liaison office to support the humanitarian measures taken after the Qinghai earthquake.

Another HK$154,000 went to the Red Cross's Wong Fuk-wing Memorial Fund.

Cheng Chung-hin, 15, attended the vigil with 200 schoolmates from HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School.

'Wong is Hong Kong's pride,' he said.

Phyllis Liang Chaojun, 18, said she would continue working as a volunteer. '[Wong's case] illustrates how one should put the interest of others in front of one's own,' she said.

Wong's funeral will be held on Thursday.

The government is helping the family to finalise arrangements for his body to be buried at Cape Collinson Chinese Permanent Cemetery.