Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, we have been receiving video messages of support from our CDF delegates from top 500 companies, which have earlier contributed to helping China and now the world in coping with coronavirus. With the outbreak turned into a global crisis, we need more global endeavor and greater cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.

Today’s video is from Alan Jope, Global Chief Executive Officer of Unilever.

He said that “it is the collective effort of government, of public services and of society generally that will overcome the global pandemic. The rest of the world is looking to China – we have a lot to learn. China will come out of this crisis even stronger. And Unilever has every confidence in our future together.”

“I’m very much looking forward to visiting China again soon, and especially to the rescheduled China Development Forum.”

Unilever have donated products over 1 million euros worth of Lifebuoy soaps, sanitizers, OMO detergents, Vaseline skin care, Blueair air purifiers and Truliva water purifiers to more than five provinces in China.Even products like face masks that go beyond Unilever’s portfolio.

The following is the full speech.

Da Jia Hao. Wo Shi Qiao An Lu.

China is a country that is very close to my heart, having had the privilege of living in Shanghai for five years while looking after Unilever’s China business.

So, it hasn’t been easy seeing events play out across China – Now of course across really the whole world. But the phased actions and strict measures are paying off.

It’s encouraging to see the infection rate in China plateau, and a steady recovery taking place in most of the country. It goes to show that the concerted efforts from the community in China are working. And I’m sure that full health and prosperity will return to China very soon.

Now, the global response needs companies – companies like Unilever – to play a key role in helping to tackle this crisis successfully.

Ensuring that the food chain is not disrupted. Deploying our know-how on hygiene and consumer behaviour change. Continuing to supply everyday products that people need: hygiene products like Lifebuoy; household cleaning products like Cif, Domestos and Sunlight; and food and refreshment products like Knorr, Hellmann’s and Lipton.

Unilever is here to serve our customers, to serve our consumers, and to serve society.

So far, that has been by helping the Chinese authorities to source and fly in hygiene supplies.

We’ve donated products over 1 million euros worth of Lifebuoy soaps, sanitizers, OMO detergents, Vaseline skin care, Blueair air purifiers and Truliva water purifiers to more than five provinces in China.

Even products like face masks that go beyond Unilever’s portfolio. Or we’ve helped through our manufacturing teams who have been working hard to step up the availability of hand cleansers, of sanitizers, of surface cleaners and so on – and this includes our factory team in Hefei, one of Unilever’s biggest factories worldwide and which even remained open during the Spring Festival.

Businesses have a critical role in taking bold, decisive action to help tackle this novel Coronavirus crisis.

But it is the collective effort of government, of public services and of society generally that will overcome the global pandemic.

The rest of the world is looking to China – we have a lot to learn. China will come out of this crisis even stronger.

And Unilever has every confidence in our future together.

I’m very much looking forward to visiting China again soon, and especially to the rescheduled China Development Forum.

In the meantime, take care, stay safe, stay well.