Asian Tech Press (Feb 18) -- Chinese technology companies Tencent, Alibaba and Xiaomi announced Friday donations totaling $8.33 million to support Hong Kong's fight against COVID-19.
With the fifth COVID-19 wave, the number of infections in Hong Kong has continued to increase. According to data from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health of the Hong Kong government, about 3,600 new confirmed COVID cases have been added on Friday so far, with about 7,600 preliminary positive cases.
Under Secretary for Food and Health Chui Tak-yi said that the number of confirmed cases of the fifth COVID-19 wave in Hong Kong exceeded the total number of cases confirmed in the past two years.
In the face of the critical condition, Chinese technology companies have announced donations to support the city's fight against COVID-19 crises.
After announcing an initial donation of HK$10 million ($1.28 million) for the prevention of the epidemic among young children and the elderly, gaming and social media company Tencent Holdings Ltd decided on Friday to donate an additional HK$40 million ($5.13 million) through its Tencent Charity Foundation, making a total of HK$50 million ($6.41) to Hong Kong's fight against COVID-19.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA:NYSE) donated an initial HK$10 million to Hong Kong through its Alibaba Foundation on Friday to support the work of medical and nursing staff in the fight against the epidemic, targeting them with supplies of urgent protective materials and daily necessities.
On the same day, smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp announced a donation of HK$5 million ($0.64 million) through its Xiaomi Foundation to support the procurement of anti-epidemic materials and provide protection for anti-epidemic workers in Hong Kong.
In addition, Alibaba's independent financial affiliate Ant Group also donated HK$10 million today through its charity foundation to support the local anti-epidemic work.
E-commerce giant JD.com Inc also announced that it will donate 100 million yuan ($15.81 million) of anti-epidemic materials to Hong Kong medical personnel.
