HONG KONG, July 7, 2008 -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping conveyed his thanks to Hong Kong people here Monday for their support to the Sichuan earthquake relief work.

Before the welcoming dinner hosted by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Xi said that HongKong, under the leadership of Chief Executive Tsang Yam-kuen, has rendered strong support to the Chinese mainland in the rescue and relief campaign against the massive May 12 earthquake.

Shortly after the earthquake struck, the SAR government promptly allocated 350 million HK dollars (44.93 million U.S. dollars) and sent a flight service team and several search and rescue, medical and anti-epidemic teams to take part in the rescue and relief operations, Xi said.

The amount of fund donated by people from all sectors in Hong Kong totaled 2 billion HK dollars (256.74 million U.S. dollars), he added.

Xi said that Hong Kong communities have all expressed the strong hope to join the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

"We in the Mainland are deeply touched by the profound friendship of our Hong Kong compatriots with whom we share the strongest blood ties," Xi said.

"On this occasion, I wish to express, on behalf of the Central Government and people in the affected areas, heartfelt thanks to the government and people from all sectors of the HKSAR and all our Hong Kong compatriots", said Xi.

Xi arrived in Hong Kong Sunday morning on a three-day inspection tour.