Hong Kong - A delegation of 20 Hong Kong lawmakers will visit the earthquake zone in south-west China's Sichuan province in early July to look at how the territory can help finance reconstruction work, officials said Monday.

The head of the territory's mini-parliament, Rita Fan, said the number of legislators from each party will be apportioned according to the percentage their parties hold in the legislature. She added that independent lawmakers will have to agree among themselves who should go.

The team will arrive in Sichuan province on July 4 and return on July 6. The May 12 earthquake which measured 8 on the Richter scale killed at least 70,000 people were killed in the massive earthquake.

The decision for the visit came after a trip to Sichuan by Chief Executive Donald Tsang last week. Tsang said the government would seek finance from Hong Kong lawmakers to help launch a public works programme to rebuild devastated areas of Sichuan.

Fan said it was important for legislators to see the scale of reconstruction that was needed. But she added that lawmakers should make up their own minds whether to support the government's cash request based on the merits of the government's funding application which is expected to be prepared later this week.

The Sichuan authorities suggested that Hong Kong help with rebuilding schools, hospitals and old people's homes in townships that were severely devastated by the earthquake.

Tsang added that Hong Kong could also "participate in infrastructure work," for instance, roads, bridges and so on.

Sichuan authorities also thought Hong Kongers would be interested in helping to rebuild the Wolong panda conservation area that was severely affected by the earthquake. (dpa)