CIG donates face masks to fight against coronavirus

With the current severe epidemic of pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus, whole China is in shortage of medical supplies. Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese in Switzerland are acting rapidly. CIG also participated in the support work, by urgently purchasing 20,800 medical face masks and successfully delivering them to China.

20,800 masks were divided into two batches, one donated to Beijing municipal government for unified deployment through the Beijing Returned Overseas Federation, and one donated to Wuhan Union Hospital through Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China. This is the largest quantity of masks we could order in Swiss market.

In order to guarantee the smooth transportation, CIG directors Mrs. Jun CHU and Mrs. Zhimin SUN, despite of the time difference, communicated and coordinated with Air China Geneva office, freight forwarding company in Geneva, two Chinese domestic receiving units, pickup units, and customs clearance companies etc. Since it is the first time for CIG to donate materials to China, many procedures remain unclear. Fortunately, CIG received big assistance and guidance from Chinese Embassy in Switzerland and relevant departments, all procedures were completed without delay. Sincere thanks to Ms. Ling LI, Director of the Consular Department of Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, for her efficient work and timely approval.

CIG director Mrs. CHU is really proud of the CIG team. The two batches totaled 20,800 masks were successfully transported on 3rd February 2020, only after 5 days. The CIG team learned from scratch, from basic customs procedures, packing, labeling, customs declaration and consignment process etc. It was such a great team work. 

We also would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Chen GE, general manager of Air China in Geneva office, and Ms. Wen DU. They provided us with utmost help to ensure the transportation, especially under the circumstances that Air China is for the moment the only airline which keeps flights between Geneva and Beijing. Other foreign airlines suspended their flights for this route one after another. The Chinese doctors and nurses on the front line are angels to fight against the coronavirus, Air China team are also angels who try their best to ensure transportation of medical supplies. Love is boundless!

Thanks to our supplier, Mrs. Yana PAN, general manager of JOYA Bioclub. She transferred all medical face masks at purchase price to various Swiss Chinese enterprises to donate to Chinese front-line personnel.

In this fight against coronavirus, we are united together and doing our best to help. We are standing with the people in Wuhan and the people in our motherland. Stay strong and be brave, China!