Two senior mainland officials visited residents affected by the Tai Po fire on Friday to convey the sympathies of President Xi Jinping and the central government.

Zhou Ji, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, and Nong Rong, deputy director at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, went to the Tung Cheong Street Community Hall and two temporary shelters at Tung Cheong Street Sports Centre and Shuen Wan.

They asked the residents about their food, lodging and medical needs, as well as how relief supplies are being distributed. They also spoke with medical staff about what drugs and equipment are needed, and consulted psychological experts about their on-site work.

The officials praised Chief Executive John Lee and the SAR government for coordinating the responses in an orderly and effective way, with all follow-up work fully underway.

They reiterated that mainland authorities will maintain close communication with the SAR government and help coordinate relevant departments to provide urgently needed supplies, fully supporting the SAR’s relief efforts.