Chinese companies lending help in Sichuan quake-hit zone

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Jiuzhaigou County in southwest China's Sichuan Province Tuesday night, leaving nearly 20 people dead and over 200 others injured. Jiuzhaigou, the Jiuzhai Valley, is a national park known for spectacular waterfalls and karst formations. More than 34,000 people had been visiting the tourist attraction when the quake hit on Tuesday, August 8, 2017.

A road is damaged by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake at a scenic spot at Wuhua Lake in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, August 9, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have been calling for the rapid organization of relief work.

Medical teams, rescuers and relief materials have already been dispatched to the quake-stricken area. But a number of domestic high-tech companies are also doing their part to help as well.

Tencent

Chinese internet giant Tencent announced Wednesday that its Tencent Foundation has donated 10 million yuan (about 1.5 million US dollars) to the quake-hit area. The money will be used to support emergency relief, post-disaster reconstruction and other needs in northern Sichuan.

Tencent's building in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province [File Photo: VCG]

The company's public charity website - gongyi.qq.com - has also opened a donation channel.

Tencent Foundation, initiated by Tencent in 2007, is the first public welfare foundation established by an internet company in China. It has helped in a number of domestic and international earthquake relief projects over the past ten years, including Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, as well as the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai and the Haitian earthquake.

JD.com

CEO of JD.com, Liu Qiangdong, announces on his Sina Weibo account on August 9, 2017 that relief materials for Jiuzhaigou County will be sent out from the company's warehouses. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

Liu Qiangdong, CEO of JD.com, announced Wednesday on his Sina Weibo account that relief materials for Jiuzhaigou County will be sent out from the company's southwest logistics branch as soon as possible. This will include medical packages, lighting equipment, tents and food.

Rescue materials from JD.com are being transported to Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan province, August 9, 2017. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

To ensure the safe transport of the materials to the quake-stricken area in time, JD.com is using vehicles that are designed for mountain operation. The drivers behind the wheel will have at least 5-years driving experience, and will be familiar with the local routes.

JD.com is also working with the Chinese Red Cross to deliver its emergency supplies.

Rescue materials from JD.com are being transported to Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan province, August 9, 2017. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

Alibaba

Three hours after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit in Sichuan, China's e-commerce giant Alibaba activated its emergency relief mechanism, calling on its staff to do what it can to help with the relief work.

Logo of Fliggy, Alibaba's travel division [File Photo: IC]

Alibaba's travel division, Fliggy, has issued a reminder to any tourists using its service in the region to pay attention to their safety. Alibaba says anyone who has booked a trip to Jiuzhaiguo in the coming week will be given a full refund.

Others

Chinese web search giant Baidu is allowing people post missing persons notices on the Baidu Post Bar, Baidu Tieba. Baidu Maps has also updated the latest road information in Jiuzhaigou County to give greater help to the rescuers.

Wang Jianlin, founder of the Dalian Wanda Group, has announced he's donating 10 million yuan to Jiuzhaigou County to help with the reconstruction in the region.