The people of Hong Kong have responded to the tsunami disaster with characteristic generosity. More than $700 million has been raised in two weeks, thanks to an impressive community-wide effort.
Everyone involved is entitled to expect the government to show a similar commitment to helping the victims of this catastrophe. But our officials have seen fit to donate only a paltry $17 million. Another $13 million in aid has been approved in principle. This is a shameful response.
A United Nations official accused developed countries of being 'stingy' with their initial offers of aid. Many of them reacted by increasing the amount they were prepared to pay. Not Hong Kong.
The government has refused to increase its figure. This is worse than stingy. It is measly and miserly.
Governments were generally slow to react to the disaster which caused devastation on a scale that is hard to comprehend, including the loss of more than 150,000 lives in 12 countries.
But the peoples of the world reacted swiftly and generously. Huge sums were raised through spontaneous private donations. Officials were shamed into hurriedly increasing their offers of aid to either match or - more often - exceed the amount given by their citizens.
The United States, Australia, Germany, Italy, Norway and France are some of the countries that have donated more than the sum raised by their citizens. But in Hong Kong, the government's commitment is a fraction of that made by the public.
