Three Hong Kong associations have decided to jointly launch Brighten HK campaign later this month to send positive anti-SARS messages overseas.

About 100,000 members of over 100 non-government groups are expected to participate in the campaign by sending e-card on positive anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) messages to their overseas colleagues or friends for several months.

The campaign is jointly sponsored by the Internet Professionals Association, the Better Hong Kong Foundation and the Outstanding Young Persons' Association.

A spokesman of the Better Hong Kong Foundation said Monday that the campaign is aimed at sending Hong Kong's correct and positive anti-SARS information to the world in an effort to resume Hong Kong's status as an international financial center, information center and tourist resort.

He said that the messages will also describe Hong Kong's hygiene situations, medical staff's fight against SARS, latest research discoveries of Hong Kong universities, and express Hong Kong residents' reconsolidation of confidence and unity for a better Hong Kong.

In a related development, the Better Hong Kong Foundation has arranged delegations to the United States and a number of European countries in June and November for Hong Kong promotion.

The foundation will also receive a delegation of leading European businessmen in October.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2003)