Coronavirus: Hong Kong legislature approves HK$137.5 billion aid package
- Earlier attempt to adjourn debate fails as tensions continue to simmer over Beijing’s recent criticism of pan-democratic camp
- DAB’s Ann Chiang says her side is not wholly satisfied with measures either, but they should be endorsed first to help needy
Hong Kong’s legislature approved a HK$137.5 billion (US$18 billion) package of relief measures aimed at helping the city during the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday, but lawmakers on both sides of the political divide said more needed to be done for workers and the unemployed.
The package passed with 41 pro-establishment lawmakers in favour and 22 opposition politicians against, while independent lawmakers Pierre Chan and Cheng Chung-tai abstained.
The opposition camp had earlier tried to adjourn debate over the funding, arguing it failed to help some parts of society, including the elderly, but were voted down.
Council Front legislator Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, who moved the adjournment motion, also said Beijing’s latest criticism on the pro-democracy camp made it impossible for discussion to continue.
