NEWS//The generosity of Chinese billionaires

A number of China's billionaire business have become mega-donors in the fight against COVID-19

Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group (the Chinese Amazon) helped to pay for 1,000 ventilators that were sent to New York in April. Alibaba also provided ventilators, masks, and other supplies to hospitals in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Ma’s foundation is helping the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expand virus testing to 1 million people across the continent.

Following Ma's lead, other Chinese companies have made extraordinarily generous donations.

• Social media platform TikTok has promised $250 million to pay health workers and help others hurt by the outbreak.

• Tencent, operator of WeChat messaging service (a platform similar to Facebook), pledged $100 million and says it has sent masks and protective gear to 15 countries including the United States.

• Computer maker Lenovo and electric automaker BYD Auto have given masks and other supplies.

• Haier Smart Home, a global appliance maker, says its factory in Pakistan is distributing food to neighbors.

• Huawei Technologies Ltd., the biggest global maker of telecom switching equipment and the No. 2 smartphone brand, says it has given medical and communications technology, masks, and other protective gear in more than 20 countries including Spain, Ireland, Zambia, and South Africa. 

• JD.com, China’s biggest online retailer, has given 50 ventilators, 5 million masks, surgical gloves, and other supplies to British hospitals. The company provides free online medical and psychological counseling services worldwide.

A number of Western voices describe the generosity coming from China to combat COVID as a political ploy to buy the world's goodwill and to extend China’s influence over more of the planet.

Sources: AP News, CGTN, Christian Science Monitor, Daily Herald, U.S. News