John Swire & Sons joins coronavirus battle

John Swire & Sons, owner of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon airlines and Coca-Cola’s franchisee in China, has donated 10 million yuan to China to support its fight against the novel coronavirus.

Its Coca-Cola beverage business has also donated 1.5 million yuan to Wuhan for the purchase of medical equipment and other supplies, and 600,000 bottles of water to medical staff and other people working on the frontline in Wuhan, including the workers who built Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan’s first emergency hospital for infected patients.

Its Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon airlines have also supported the transport of surgical masks and other daily necessities to cities across China.

Merlin Swire, CEO of the company and a member of the International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai, said in a video: “Since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, we at Swire have been watching with great admiration the calmness and self-sacrifice of the Chinese people in response to this most worrying crisis.

“As a member of IBLAC, I visit Shanghai often. Indeed I was lucky enough to live in Shanghai for several years when I was younger. The proud spirit, vibrancy and sheer energy of the city excite me every time I visit. And I am sure that despite short-term challenges, Shanghai will continue to drive China’s long-term growth. I am equally certain that China as a whole will emerge from the current challenges stronger than ever.”