Quake donations passed on The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China yesterday passed on to the Red Cross HK$783,000 in donations to help relief efforts after the Sichuan earthquake. The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong handed HK$3.33 million in donations to the central government's liaison office. US rendezvous with vice-premier Members of the Better Hong Kong Foundation will meet Vice-Premier Wang Qishan when a delegation of businessmen and politicians visits the US from Sunday. Mr Wang will be in Washington for discussions under the Strategic Economic Dialogue. Cultural district posts approved Lawmakers have approved three new posts to co-ordinate efforts for the West Kowloon Cultural District. The administrative officers and chief treasury accountant will have monthly salaries of HK$97,000 to HK$142,000. Payouts for welfare recipients The Social Welfare Department will, on Monday, pay recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, the disabled on welfare and the elderly money promised by the government in the budget. Rights debate blocked in Legco Government-friendly legislators voted down a subcommittee's request to debate a report that cited the administration's 'stern position' against the establishment of a human rights committee.
