Master Kong instant noodles apologises after executive calls coronavirus pandemic ‘godsend’

Pan Mougang called the coronavirus a ‘godsend’ and told one employee it was unfortunate his city had controlled the virus

The comments spread internally and some employees wondered if people ‘wanted this disaster’

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Master Kong is reeling after an executive appeared to thank the coronavirus pandemic for a bumper year. Photo: CNA

Published: 6:00pm, 1 Oct 2021Updated: 11:49am, 5 Oct 2021

A marketing executive for the famous instant noodle company Master Kong has apologised for remarks in which he appeared to be thankful for the coronavirus pandemic because it helped boost his sales numbers.

Pan Mougang, the head of marketing for the Pearl River Delta, called the pandemic a “godsend” and told a marketing manager from Zhongshan that the southern city’s ability to smother Covid-19 was terrible news, the mainland newspaper Nanfang Daily reported on Wednesday.

“Even the heavens are on my side now … sending a pandemic,” Pan said during a meeting with employees in June.

Instant noodles are common purchases for people who may be entering quarantine. Photo: Bloomberg

He told the Zhongshan employee: “One after another outbreak in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Foshan … even god does not lend you a hand as there is no outbreak in Zhongshan.”

Pan was given a “serious demerit” on August 16 and Master Kong told Nanfang Daily on Wednesday that it would continue to investigate the matter.

Pan told reporters on Wednesday that “personal emotions do not represent the company. I apologise to the public and everyone.” He added that Master Kong had done an excellent job of donating to pandemic relief efforts.