Tablet bearing inscription jian yi yong wei

Tablet bearing the inscription jian yi yong wei (assistance offered for a just cause)
10th year of the reign of Guangxu, Qing dynasty (1884)
Collection of Tung Wah Museum
In 1883, the levees of the Yellow River broke, resulting in serious flooding in Shandong, Zhili (present-day Hebei province), Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. To better coordinate disaster relief work, the Qing court established the Shun Zhi Shandong Shazhou Zhenjuan Gongsuo (Fund-raising Office for Flood-fighting Efforts in Shuntian, Zhili and Shandong). Since its founding, Tung Wah had extended the reach of its chartable work beyond the borders of Hong Kong. Every time China was struck by a severe calamity, Tung Wah has been ready to offer relief and help to those affected. When the Yellow River overflowed in 1883, Tung Wah not only raised funds for the victims, but also played the role of mediator and helped send donations from overseas Chinese organisations to China. Tung Wah was highly praised by the Qing court for its benevolence and readiness to help during difficult times.
This tablet was presented to Tung Wah Hospital by Li Hongzhang, Grand Secretary and Viceroy of Zhili, jointly with three other government officials: Minister of Rites, Bi Daoyuan; Governor of Shandong, Chen Shijie and Magistrate of Shuntian, Zhou Jiamei, who was acting as Co-minister of the Census in the 10th year of the reign of Guangxu (1884) to commend the hospital for "offering assistance for a just cause."