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Floods in central China: Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance and Meituan rush to support relief efforts with cash and services
- The rush of donations comes as China’s tech companies are under scrutiny for putting profit ahead of social responsibility
- Video clips of muddy water washing away cars and people on the streets of Zhengzhou, a city of 10 million, went viral on Chinese social media on Wednesday
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China’s largest tech companies, including Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings, are rushing to announce donations amounting to almost 1 billion yuan (US$154 million) to flood relief efforts in central Henan province where heavy rains have killed at least 12 in the capital city of Zhengzhou and displaced over 100,000 throughout the province.
Alibaba, the owner of the South China Morning Post, has announced a 100 million yuan donation to Henan. Its payment affiliate Ant Group will also donate 100 million yuan, while founder Jack Ma’s foundation said it will give 50 million.
Social media and gaming giant Tencent, Beijing-based ByteDance, on-demand services platform Meituan and discount e-commerce company Pinduoduo said they will donate 100 million yuan each, according to separate company statements on Wednesday.
Tim Cook, the head of Apple which has a factory in Zhengzhou, said on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo that the company will donate to aid relief efforts.
Didi Chuxing, the ride-hailing giant under cybersecurity review, has also announced a 100 million yuan donation and pledged additional resources.
Chinese search engine Baidu announced a donation of 90 million yuan while its financial services business said it will donate 10 million yuan.
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