The Central People’s Government Liaison Office in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) yesterday presented a certificate of appreciation to Sands China for its support of COVID-19 relief efforts in the mainland and Macau, the US gaming operator said in a statement.
According to the statement, a delegation headed by Yao Jian, a deputy director of the office, was received by Sands China President Wilfred Wong Ying-wai and other senior executives at the company’s office yesterday.
The statement said that both sides exchanged views and ideas on how to support the anti-pandemic efforts of the central and local governments, as well as how to revive Macau’s economy.
According to the statement, “Yao acknowledged the contributions made by Sands China amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and praised the company for its support of relief efforts in mainland China and Macau.”
During the visit, Yao’s delegation “presented a certificate of appreciation to Sands China, and expressed its hopes that the company will continue to cooperate with the [MSAR] government in its [novel corona]virus prevention and economy recovery work, while at the same time strengthening the patriotic spirit of its team members.”
The statement quoted Wong as saying that “Sands China considers it our privilege and duty to help the mainland and Macau persevere through the challenges brought on by the current pandemic,” adding that “under the guidance and leadership” of the central and local governments, “we will continue to work together to safeguard the local community, thereby contributing to the gradual recovery of Macau’s economy.”
The statement noted that Yao’s delegation included several officials from the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office such as Director-General Chen Guokai and Director Zuo Xianghua.
The statement pointed out that Sands China announced in early February that it would donate 20 million patacas to support the anti-pandemic work in the mainland, while it allocated an additional five million patacas to support epidemic prevention in Macau. The statement also noted that Sands China has donated over 650,000 relief items to the local government and civic associations, apart from providing pecuniary aid for 500 households in dire straits and making donations to 34 local retirement homes and drug rehabilitation centres, benefiting some 110,000 people in needs. Some of the relief items have been donated to those staying for 14 days in quarantine at a section of the Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel booked by the Macau government as part of its anti-epidemic measures, according to the statement.
Wong, a former Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress (NPC) who holds a doctorate of the Hong Kong Baptist University, is the father of well-known Hong Kong singer, songwriter, actor and producer Jonathan Wong Chee-Hynn.
Yao Jian (left), deputy director of the Central People’s Government Liaison Office in the MSAR, presents a certificate of appreciation to Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, president of Sands China, at the US gaming company’s office yesterday. Photo: Sands China
