On January 6, Wang Zhaowen, spokesman of Bank of China, disclosed that all the branches and affiliates of Bank of China at home and abroad had launched various relief efforts to support the self-rescue and reconstruction in the earthquake- and tsunami-hit areas around the Indian Ocean. The Bank is writing a new chapter in international humanism.
As the spokesman stated, the outlets of Bank of China in Southeast Asia were not affected by the disaster. Surrounded by disaster areas which are linked closely with the banking business, the outlets have conveyed great concerns about local residents and spared no effort in disaster relief. Jakarta Branch, located in the severely affected area, have taken the lead in donating money to the local people. Its employees have voluntarily organized several fund-raising activities. Bangkok Branch and Malaysia Branch, another two outlets in the affected areas, have actively responded to the appeal for relief donations by the local embassies and governments. In addition, Singapore Branch, Manila Branch, Ho Chi Minh City Branch and other outlets have dedicated their affections in one way or another to the victims.
Facing the catastrophic disaster, overseas branches and affiliates of Bank of China in 27 countries and regions across the world have done their best in public services as an effort to repay the local communities. In so doing, they have earned the respect and trust of the local people. Bank of China's outlets in Hong Kong and Macau have initiated fund-raising campaigns. As of January 5, Bank of China Hong Kong Charity Foundation had made donations of HKD 1 million. The contributions of employees from Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited have reached HKD 1.92 million, and those collected from its customers through donation accounts have reached HKD 1.5 million. Bank of China Macau Branch, as Macau's note-issuing bank and Chairman of the Macau Association of Banks, has prepared donation boxes and provided account services concerned, following its two donations with a total value of HKD 100,000. Staff of the branch have also been actively involved in the local Red Cross fund-raising activities.
While the overseas branches were engaged in cash and material donations for the disaster areas, Bank of China head office and domestic branches, as the spokesman revealed, were also active in fund-raising. On the morning of January 6, directors and staff of the Bank offered generous donations in the charity activities organized by the head office. According to incomplete statistics, as of press time, the head office has raised relief funds of RMB 200,243.
The spokesman also said that Bank of China would go all out to provide currency exchange services for the Chinese national rescue and medical teams sent to the disaster areas and offer efficient and convenient financial services to the people willing to make donations to the disaster areas, which had epitomized its international mindset.
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