On the evening of September 8, 2024, the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Hainan Province and the Malaysia Hainan Chamber of Commerce jointly hosted a family-friendly Hainan cuisine exchange feast. During the meeting, the Hainan Chamber of Commerce Malaysia launched an initiative to the Chinese community in Malaysia, with the aim of mobilising the local Chinese community to contribute resources and strength to the post-disaster reconstruction efforts in Wenchang. During the event, Ms Lim Chew Nga, President of the Hainan Chamber of Commerce Malaysia, was the first to respond and donated more than MYR 50,000, equivalent to about CNY 80,000（USD11,253）, to support reconstruction work in Wenchang.

Jinshan Town in Wenchang. (Photo by Zheng Guangping, hiNews)

After learning of the disaster in Hainan, the Chamber's officer-in-charge set up a donation box for the reconstruction of Wenchang. They hope all event participants will show their care and attention and aid the disaster victims in Wenchang, working together to overcome the difficulties in Hainan.

Wenchang in Hainan. (Photo by hiNews)

On the scene, The Selangor & Federal Territory Hainan Association, Persatuan Hainan Wenchang and folks responded positively to the donations, the total amount of donations initially amounted to CNY 150,000 (USD 21,100).

‘Folks in Hong Kong and others far away from home are always concerned about the situation in their hometowns. On the day of 6 September, when the typhoon was still raging, we received a donation of CNY 200,000 (USD 28,133) from the Fifth Council of the Federation of Hong Kong Wenchang Associations (Hong Kong Wenchang Clansmen's Association).’ On 8 September, Chen Feifei, Chairman of Wenchang Overseas Chinese Association, introduced that, in addition to this donation, they also received a highly emotional letter.

Letter from Hong Kong Wenchang Association to the disaster area (Photo by Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Hainan Province)

The letter reads: "As members of the Wenchang community in Hong Kong, we are deeply connected to our hometown and share a common bond and destiny with its people. No matter where we are, Wenchang will always be the roots from which we sprung. Every hardship our hometown faces is our shared pain, and it is our collective responsibility to contribute to its revival."

Chen Feifei, from the Wenchang Overseas Chinese Association, has mobilized over 30 overseas associations to support post-typhoon 'Yagi' reconstruction. The initiative has garnered a positive response, with donations received from various overseas associations, including a generous donation of CNY 200,000 (USD28,133) from the Hong Kong Wenchang Fellowship Association and CNY 100,000 (USD14,066) from the Suriname Hainan Fellowship Association.