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.