Chinese groups donate millions to charities after Xi's UK visit

The International Cancer Centre of Asia and UNICEF accepted a total of 30 million pounds in donations from two Chinese organizations on October 30, a week after Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK.

The donation came from China Great Wall United Association of International Public Relations and the China Jockey Club, which gave 15 million pounds each to the International Cancer Centre of Asia and UNICEF. The Chinese organizations first announced the donations on October 22, at a charity fundraising lunch at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London.

UNICEF Community Development Officer Anand Moda expressed his thanks to the Chinese organizations in an email on October 30. He said the 15 million pounds is of great significance to the development of UNICEF, and UNICEF will track the money's destination and its future impact.

Gao Yujia, Chairman of China Great Wall Society, said in a speech at the fundraising lunch that China and Britain are becoming closer through cultural exchange and people-to-people communication. "We want a world of inclusiveness, openness, and cooperation, where various consensuses can be achieved."

"We sincerely hope that we can make some contribution to the two charity organizations," said China Jockey Club Vice-Chairman Wang Yan.

Lillian Davies, Overseas Preparatory Committee Director of International Cancer Centre of Asia, said, "Cancer is the most dangerous enemy of human beings. My mother passed away because of cancer when I was three years old. The project at International Cancer Centre of Asia has a special significance for me. Many thanks to Prestige Television Industries Incorporation Ltd, the shareholder of China Jockey Club, for supporting us."

Chinese entrepreneur Ding Beilei said at the event that cancer prevention is a global issue, and China needs to learn from the West and change its views towards cancer. We need to be well prepared not only in treatment but also prevention.

Other attendees of the charity lunch included Kong Qingfeng, chairman of the energy efficiency technology firm Shenzhen FLY, Li Shanyou, President of Jiangsu Huiman Investment Group, Miao Shanzai of Qingdao Taihang Garden Building Company, Michael Buckmaster-Brown, Chief Executive Officer at Emblem Group and other well-known politicians and business people from both countries.

In recent years, China has strengthened cooperation with the West in dealing with global health issues. Madam Peng Liyuan visited the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle when she accompanied President Xi on his state visit to the United States in October.

To contact the reporter: cecily.liu@mail.chinadailyuk.com