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A female Hong Kong resident returned to Hong Kong from East Timor today (May 30) with assistance from the Central Government.
She arrived in Xiamen last night (May 29) with other Chinese citizens on two chartered flights from East Timor. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong sent staff to Xiamen to help.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said the woman had been provided with appropriate assistance from the Immigration Department, the Home Affairs Department and the Social Welfare Department in accordance with established procedures and her wishes.
"The Government will continue to liaise closely with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to monitor the situation and provide all practicable assistance to the affected Hong Kong residents," the spokesman said.
So far, the Immigration Department has received one request for assistance from Hong Kong residents.
Hong Kong residents who need help may contact the duty officer of the Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste at (670) 3325168 / 7231918 or call the Hong Kong Immigration Department's 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868.
Ends/Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 13:07
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