Helping hands: Chief Secretary Henry Tang chats with earthquake victim Xia Fengting at West China Hospital.

Chief Secretary Henry Tang has inspected projects Hong Kong's non-governmental organisations have undertaken in Sichuan, and visited the quake-stricken areas of Deyang and Mianzhu.

The Sichuan earthquake struck the area almost six months ago. Mr Tang said today he wants to learn more about people's lives there and extend a message of hope and support from Hong Kong people.

In West China Hospital, Mr Tang met young artist Xia Fengting, who lost her right arm in the disaster. Medical staff from Hong Kong have fitted her with an artificial arm that operates through electrical impulses, generated by muscles.

Mr Tang encouraged the girl to keep practicing so that she will be able to draw again using her new hand.

He also visited a disabled persons' association in Deyang and a rehabilitation and prosthetic service centre organised by Hong Kong Red Cross. It is the first centre on the Mainland to provide free prosthetic and rehabilitation services in the region.

Its services include fitting and maintaining artificial limbs, rehabilitation, physiotherapy and psychological counseling, to enhance patients' ability to live more normal lives. More than 100 patients had used the centre's services by the end of October.

Meeting students in Deyang, Mr Tang was deeply impressed by their positive and optimistic manner - despite adverse circumstances. Many must study in temporary cubicles after their schools collapsed.

"The Hong Kong SAR is going to allocate funds to support the construction of Deyang No. 1 Primary School. We hope those reconstruction projects will be completed as soon as possible, to create a better learning environment for the students," Mr Tang said.

Hong Kong is responsible for 20 reconstruction projects in this first stage of rebuilding, including six in hard-hit Deyang.

Mr Tang said many Hong Kong NGOs are conducting practical work in the affected areas, including reconstruction and helping the victims resume normal life.

He welcomed early applications for the Government's trust fund for the Sichuan reconstruction. The first batch will be processed this month.

Mr Tang also visited the elderly in Mianzhu and distributed some clothes to people there on behalf of the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society in Kowloon.