Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, we’ve received video messages from CDF delegates who expressed their support to China.

Today’s video is from Leif Johansson, CEO of AstraZeneca.

He said that “I wish you and the people of China a stronger, brighter, and more prosperous future and look forward very much to discussing collaborative approaches to solving global public health challenges at the China Development Forum when it takes place later this year.”

On January 24, AstraZenecawas among the first pharmaceutical companies to donate RMB 1 million to the Red Cross, supporting the local prevention and control of pneumonia.

Medical substance donated by AstraZeneca

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The following is the full speech.

Dear Secretary Lu Mai,

As efforts are intensifying in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and across China to address the novel coronavirus, I want to take the opportunity to express my sincere support for China and my appreciation and admiration of your response.

It is a testament to the organisation and commitment of the Chinese people that such significant efforts are being implemented to stem the spread of the virus. It is critical that action is being taken at the frontline to minimise the impact of the virus, while continuing to support the broader health and wellbeing of people and mitigate economic challenges.

With this in mind, I wanted to outline a few of the measures being implemented by AstraZeneca in China:

On the New Year's Eve of January 24, AstraZeneca was among the first multinational pharmaceutical companies to donate RMB 1 million to the Red Cross, supporting the local prevention and control of pneumonia.

On January 28, the first batch of 15,000 medical masks to be donated were distributed to 15 hospitals in Wuhan, providing protection for the frontline medical staff.

On February 2, medicines donations from AstraZeneca totalling RMB 5.5 million arrived at the Leishenshan Hospital and Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, to support medical staff and patients in the most affected areas.

On February 10, AstraZeneca donated over 90,000 pairs of medical gloves to Hubei, Shanghai, Wuxi, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu to support the protection of local frontline medical staff, as well as regions relatively short of medical resources including Anhui, Hebei, Hunan, Yunnan, Shaanxi and Shanxi Province.

We continue to stand strong with China. And with the strength, determination, and talent of the Chinese people, I have no doubt that your country will not only get through this epidemic but will come out the other side even stronger.

I wish you and the people of China a stronger, brighter, and more prosperous future and look forward very much to discussing collaborative approaches to solving global public health challenges at the China Development  

Forum when it takes place later this year.

Wuhan Jiayou

Zhongguo Jiayou