WASHINGTON – February, 2020 – The US-China Business Council (USCBC), the National Committee on US-China Relations and the George H. W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations have organized a shipment to China containing much needed medical supplies, including 2 million masks.
“At this critical moment, the US private sector stands with and in support with the Chinese people,” said Evan Greenberg, the USCBC Chair, Vice Chair of the National Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Chubb. “I would like to thank FedEx for donating air transportation of these relief supplies to China. I would also like to thank Walmart for joining Chubb in helping to obtain these goods. This donation is just one example of the many efforts undertaken by the US private sector to assist China in combating the coronavirus.”
In response to the coronavirus, which first appeared in Wuhan, a central China city of 12 million people, USCBC members have contributed millions of dollars in medical supplies, many of them to hospitals in the Wuhan region—the epicenter of the deadly outbreak that has caused more than 1000 fatalities and spread alarm across the world.
“This is the time to demonstrate our shared humanity and dedication to the common good,” said Craig Allen, the US-China Business Council’s (USCBC) President. “In particular, we want to help and to honor the courageous healthcare workers throughout China.”
“Since our hosting of the Chinese ping pong team in 1972, NCUSCR has stood for strengthening people to people relations between our two great peoples,” said Steve Orlins, President of the NCUSCR. “During this crisis we are gratified to be able to continue this great tradition by helping to provide urgently needed medical supplies to the Chinese people.”
“We are honored and deeply gratified to be one of the organizers of this humanitarian action, a powerful gesture of American friendship and goodwill toward China at this challenging moment,” stated David Firestein, the inaugural president and chief executive officer of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations and a founding member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Our Foundation stands ready to do all in our power to help our Chinese friends fight and defeat this virus.”
Most of the donated goods on the flight will be rushed to Wuhan hospitals with support from Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and China Charity Federation. Masks are difficult to acquire currently because of unprecedented demand, but a reliable supply was identified by the Bush China Foundation through its newly established and rapidly growing US-China Coronavirus Action Network, “US-China CAN,” and representatives of the business organizations swiftly arranged for purchase and transport.