Foreign companies vow they're confident China can fight against the epidemic
Updated 16:50, 26-Feb-2020
Global Business

Over the past 40 years, many foreign companies have benefited greatly from China's reform and opening-up. Now China is on the front line of fighting the epidemic, and leaders of those foreign companies have expressed their blessings to China and their confidence in the Chinese market.

00:52

Airbnb: Importance of China to Airbnb won't be affected

Airbnb, the sharing portal that connects homeowners with renters for short-term leases, announced earlier this month that it has set up a 10-million-U.S.-dollar special fund to support its community in China.

And Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder of Airbnb and chairman of Airbnb China, stressed that the importance of China market won't be influenced by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"This crisis does not change the importance of China to Airbnb. We will continue to invest in China and do all we can to support our community of hosts there," he told CGTN.

Blecharczyk details that the fund will support hosts who have incurred financial losses due to cancelled reservations, and reward hosts who have actively supported the community.

The Airbnb community is "the soul of our business, and the health and safety of the community is our top priority," he said.

Therefore, Airbnb has been working closely with public health experts, governments around the world, and local officials to ensure the health and safety of its community.

Meanwhile, Blecharczyk is confident about China's strong capabilities to win the battle against the virus, wishing people in China an early victory in its return to normal work and life.

"We are incredibly proud and appreciative of the relentless efforts by the Chinese people to combat the virus," he said.

01:31

BCG: China can overcome coronavirus difficulties

Management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is confident that China and its business community can overcome the difficulties brought on by the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to its CEO Rich Lesser.

"I'm confident that the country and its business community will be able to do this in the challenging weeks and months ahead," Lesser said.

The chief executive told CGTN that he had been impressed with China's robust, energetic and innovative business community, the country's ability to rise to challenges, "and how it finds opportunities to make a difference even in difficult situations," he added.

Lesser revealed that the company had been contributing to the response and recovery efforts currently underway. "We have established a donation program to be able to ensure a point-to-point delivery of important medical supplies," the CEO detailed.

Meanwhile, he said that BCG is looking to "leverage its expertise we've developed globally in dealing with difficult health situations around the world," and to bring the knowledge to China.

"I want to reach out to share how committed BCG is to making a positive difference in this difficult time… I want you to know that BCG will be by your side to make a contribution in whatever ways we can," Lesser told CGTN.

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