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 Dr. Andrew Forrest, AO of FMG Group.
He said that “China has been through so many challenges. Its spirit of its people has always risen above the challenge, and it will do so again. I'm very sorry that we're not all together in the China Development Forum, but I'm very proud of the great friendship, the deep and lasting relationships which Fortescue Metals Group, Minderoo Foundation and I have with the China Development Forum and with so many friends all across China.”

FMG donated A$1 million to the Wuhan Qingshan Charity Federation to support medical efforts at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. The funds have been used to convert the WISCO Sports Stadium, owned by longstanding FMG customer Wuhan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd, into a 388-bed shelter hospital to treat patients who have been infected by the virus.

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The following is the full speech.

I'm very grateful to be able to honour the Chinese Development Forum on the achievement of their 20th year of representing China around the world, of bringing in the best, the brightest, the most influential business leaders from across our planet so that we can all learn the wonderful growth story and the resilience of the Chinese people.

And it's that wonderful resilience, that character, I want to speak to you about.

China has been through so many challenges. Its spirit of its people has always risen above the challenge, and it will do so again.

I'm very sorry that we're not all together in the China Development Forum, but I'm very proud of the great friendship, the deep and lasting relationships which Fortescue Metals Group, Minderoo Foundation and I have with the China Development Forum and with so many friends all across China.