Nearly 500 Hong Kong people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Guangzhou on Thursday. [Photo by Zheng Erqi/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Nearly 500 Hong Kong people in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Thursday as local medical professionals resumed giving the shots.

Shau Kin-po, chairman of Guangzhou center of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said he felt great when local departments organized the vaccinations for people from the special administrative region who are currently living in Guangzhou.

"We're glad that Hong Kong people could be vaccinated against the coronavirus today, as the Communist Party of China celebrates its 100th birthday," Shau said in an interview. "It demonstrates that the CPC and the central government are very concerned about people's health, including Hong Kong compatriots.

Nearly 500 Hong Kong people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Guangzhou on Thursday. [Photo by Zheng Erqi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Guangzhou suspended first doses of COVID-19 vaccines for local residents in June, after an outbreak on May 21. Resources needed to be redirected, and a majority of medical staff members were occupied with mass testing of the entire city to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Shau's center contacted the Guangzhou Federation of Trade Unions and the United Front Work Department of Guangzhou for help when he received vaccine requests for first doses from hundreds of Hong Kong people. 

"Communication and contact with local government departments and organizations has been very smooth in recent weeks," he said.

Hong Kong compatriot Sin Chueng-yee said she was glad to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Guangzhou and noted that the process went off smoothly. The vaccinations were administered at Guangzhou 12th People's Hospital.

Nearly 500 Hong Kong people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Guangzhou on Thursday. [Photo by Zheng Erqi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Nearly 500 Hong Kong people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Guangzhou on Thursday. [Photo by Zheng Erqi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Nearly 500 Hong Kong people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Guangzhou on Thursday. [Photo by Zheng Erqi/chinadaily.com.cn]