Does Hong Kong’s response to Henan floods reflect declining public motivation to support disaster relief in mainland China?
- Pro-establishment groups increase support for flood-ravaged Chinese province but public donations much lower than levels seen for previous disasters
- Analysts suggest the trend is linked to a disconnect felt by many Hongkongers with mainland since 2019 protests; confidence in government’s emergency response also a factor
Hong Kong business leaders have stepped up their financial support for Henan after it was devastated by deadly floods last month, while city authorities are pledging more cash for local relief agencies planning to head to the province.
But analysts said the city’s response to the Henan floods stood in stark contrast with the reaction to past disasters in mainland China, noting that wider society would previously mobilise collectively to donate hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars to help authorities and victims over the border.
Even though the central government appreciated the latest response, it was seen as more of a joint effort between pro-establishment business and political groups and with limited public engagement, the observers added.
On July 17, the combined effects of Typhoon In-fa and an area of high pressure in the Pacific generated record rainfall that caused devastating floods in Henan, killing at least 99 people and affecting more than 11 million residents.
The province has also been hit by the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus on the mainland.
Zhengzhou, the provincial capital that suffered devastating floods, has started mass nucleic acid testing after reporting 32 infections on Saturday.
After the floods, entertainment conglomerate Emperor Group was among the first Hong Kong firms to show support, pledging on July 21 to donate at least 13.6 million yuan (US$2.1 million).