"We`re here to tell the people of Japan -- you`re not alone," said Chan, one of the initiators of the celebrity concert.
"Don`t give up, hang in there."
A massive 9.0-earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, devastating large areas of the northeast coast and leading to an ongoing nuclear emergency at a crippled atomic plant.
"They have a long to recovery ahead of them, but I hope they can stay strong and positive," said Chan, who personally donated HK$4 million to cover the production costs of the concert so that the proceeds could go to quake victims.
"We`re here to help in whatever way we can," he added.
"I thank the people of Hong Kong -- they have shown tremendous generosity."
The veteran movie star was joined by performers from Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia for the three-hour show in the city`s bustling Causeway Bay district, where stars performed songs interspersed with video footage of the quake.
The event featured a theme song called "Succumb not to sorrow", based on a popular Japanese poem that praises the tenacity of Japan`s people in the face of hardship.
Over 10,000 people attended the show, at which over 170 celebrities performed in aid of the Salvation Army`s Japan relief efforts -- all of them wearing white T-shirts carrying the words "Hope for Japan".
US pop star Lionel Richie and musician Kenny G appeared in video clips shown during the concert urging the people of Japan to stay strong.
Members of the audience were expected to make a minimum donation of HK$20 each.
The organising committee, made up of art and film groups, said it aimed to raise funds for relief packs -- including food, drinking water, blankets, clothing and cooking utensils -- for up to 80,000 disaster victims.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
