“Requiem”, an exhibition co-organized by the Hong Kong Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco was opened on October 26, 2017. This contemporary art exhibition by Summer Lee showcased Tung Wah’s efforts in repatriating dislocated bodies of Chinese laborers back home in the 19th century. The exhibition at the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco ran until December 23, 2017.
Twenty-four secondary students joined the Tung Wah delegation who visited San Francisco Bay Area in October. The students narrated the Tung Wah story, its vision and mission through a sand painting presentation at the dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco on October 26, 2017.
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To celebrate the opening of the exhibition and welcome over 80 visitors from Hong Kong including the leadership of Tung Wah Group as well as a delegation of secondary school principals, teachers and students, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco hosted a VIP dinner after the opening ceremony. The delegation had the opportunity to meet with the local non-profit organizations as well as business and art communities.
“With a history dating back to 1870, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals is the oldest and largest charitable organization in Hong Kong,” said Mr Ivanhoe Chang, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco at the VIP dinner. “Tung Wah is largely subvented by the Hong Kong Government but like other charitable organizations which are represented tonight, it needs to raise funds from the public, in order to cover costs for developing new services. Indeed, Tung Wah is particularly successful in mobilizing the public in territory-wide donation campaigns.
“The connection between Tung Wah and the Chinese benevolent organizations in San Francisco could be traced back to late 19th century. When Chinese traveled to other parts of the world for livelihood, they stopover in Hong Kong in their voyage. For those who passed away during their stay in the U.S., Tung Wah facilitated their return to the roots through its bone repatriation services by leveraging its extensive global networks,” said Mr Chang.
When speaking about social welfare, Mr Chang mentioned that healthcare , welfare services and other livelihood issues are the pillars of a caring and inclusive society and noted that Hong Kong Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam had highlighted the importance of providing trustworthy healthcare services and reliable social support in Hong Kong in her maiden Policy Address.
“In the face of an ageing population, the Hong Kong Government accords priority to provision of home care and community care, so that the elderly could enjoy life in a familiar environment. The Government will also devote efforts and focus resources to improve the healthcare system, including actively promoting primary healthcare, enhancing public health regulation, promoting medical technology, and supporting the development of Chinese medicine. The Government has also achieved much progress in the areas of poverty alleviation, elderly care, and support for the disadvantaged over the past few years,” he said.
Mr Chang was pleased to see a meaningful collaboration between Hong Kong and San Francisco in this exhibition. The dinner provided an opportunity for the Tung Wah delegation to meet with non-profit organizations in the Bay Area and for the student delegation to present the mission and vision of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
Tung Wah delegation including the leadership of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, principals, teachers and secondary students visited the office of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco.
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Dr Alan Lee, Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (center) presents a souvenir to Mr Ivanhoe Chang, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco at the dinner on October 26.
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