AmCham South China Member Companies Battle Poverty in Guangdong's Meizhou City

MEIZHOU, China, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) today brought a group of more than 100 executives from multinational corporations to Chang Yuan Village to deliver material support to the impoverished villagers.

(Photo: http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140113/0861400213-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140113/0861400213-b )

Under the administration of Meizhou City, Chang Yuan Village has a population of 3,125 individuals, approximately 20 percent of whom are "poverty-stricken" by official measurements. AmCham South China's collection efforts have resulted in material worth over RMB 750,000, including clothing, bedding, hygiene products, educational materials and toys.

AmCham South China's mission to the village was augmented by a team of medical professionals from the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, who offered free on-site medical checkups and consultations to the villagers. Also, to achieve sustainable development, potential investors and experts were invited to join the delegation for investment inspection during the visit to the village.

As part of its overall charity activities this year, AmCham South China also coordinated the donation of more than RMB 500,000 in cash to the Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation which was donated by chamber member Mead Johnson Nutrition alone; these funds will be used to save lives of orphaned children in need of immediate life saving surgery, help raise Chang Yuan Village above the poverty line and help build safe water facility for a village in Guizhou.

This is the third consecutive year that AmCham South China has collected donations on behalf of impoverished villages in the relatively affluent Guangdong Province and the first year the chamber cooperating with Guangzhou Charity Association for the program. Last three years' effort channeled donations total valued at over RMB 5 million.

About The American Chamber of Commerce in South China

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Certified in 1995 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C., AmCham South China represents more than 2,000 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. In 2013, AmCham South China hosted nearly 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China is a fully-independent organization accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions.

The mission of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China is to promote the development of trade, commerce and investment between the United States and the People's Republic of China with a special focus on South China; to provide a forum in which member businesses can identify their common interests and discuss solutions for common problems; to work with and advocate member interests with relevant organizations in South China, elsewhere in China and the United States, and to set the standards for corporate social responsibility for the community that the Chamber serves.

About Mead Johnson Nutrition Company and Mead Johnson Nutrition China Ltd.

Mead Johnson Nutrition Company was founded in 1905 by Edward Mead Johnson. Its global Headquarters are located in Glenview, Illinois, and the Global Research and Development Center and Global Operations Center are located in Evansville, Indiana, in the United States. Mead Johnson has a proud history of over 100 years and is a global leader in infant and children's nutrition.

Mead Johnson Nutrition China was founded in 1993. The manufacturing facility is located at Dong Ji Xia Yuan Road of Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, and covers an area of 60,000 square meters and boasts one of the world's most advanced production facilities.

Mead Johnson strives to advance its leadership role as part of the healthy growth of the entire pediatric nutrition industry. The company has operated strictly under its first-to-market "All-Rounded Safety" quality management model and GMP standards across its manufacturing, supply chains, storage and distribution networks. Having been awarded ISO9001:2000 certification, Mead Johnson China adheres to HACCP principles, meets national food safety and hygiene standards, and complies with all World Health Organization and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations for infant formula.

With deep roots in China extending back 20 years, Mead Johnson remains steadfast in its commitment to nourish the world's children for the best start in life. With the focus on innovation, dedication to research and development, the company has developed a comprehensive product portfolio catering for babies with various nutrition needs, which has earned the trust of consumers in China. The company's commitment to the overall wellbeing of Chinese infant and children extends far beyond its products to its active engagement with and support of the disadvantaged in the communities, "Top 100 Taxpaying Enterprises of Guangdong. Province 2011", "Beijing Times-Award of Best Practice of Corporate Social Responsibility 2011", "GETDD Outstanding Industrial Growth Enterprises 2012", etc. have recognized Mead Johnson's demonstration of good corporate citizenship.

Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute (China) opened in November 2011. Its location is in conjunction with Mead Johnson China's production plant with total floor space over 5,000 square meters. The new technology center generates meaningful and advanced pediatric nutrition science and applications for both industry and consumers in China.

About Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center

Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center has three hospital sites including the Zhujiang New Town Center, Remin Zhong Road Children's Hospital, Renmin Zhong Road Women and Children's Hospital, where Guangzhou Institute of pediatrics and Guangzhou Institute of Eugenics and Perinatology are established. Undertaking the clinical, maternal and child hygiene instruction, training and promotion tasks, it functions as Guangzhou children's treatment center for severe diseases, Guangzhou neonatal diseases screening center, Guangzhou maternal and children's health care training and promoting center, and Guangzhou's umbilical cord blood bank.

The goal is to base in Guangzhou, service South China and gear to the world. Our mission is to bring about health, keep medical ethics and virtues and benefit women and children. Our motto is righteousness, professionalism, wholeheartedness and diligence.

About the Guangzhou Charity Association-Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau

Founded on June 5^th, 1994, Guangzhou Charity Association is a registered citywide charitable society group approved by the municipal government. It is also a member of China Charity Federation. The aim of the association is to promote the spirit of humanitarian, to contribute to poverty alleviation, to help people with less fortune and people in need, which indicates the progress and development of the society. The board consists of people from all walks of life who are active and dedicated to the philanthropic industry is the decision-making organ of the association. Secretary under the board mainly handles the fundraising effort, salvation and other daily issues.

The association has hosted various charitable fundraising and salvation events in past years. Till the end of 2012, the fund collected has reached 2.179 billion yuan, and the donated fund by the association has added up to 1.878 billion yuan. With the donation, the association has contributed a lot to the society, especially on allocating social resources, narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, alleviating social contradiction, and promoting social equity, which are of vital importance to building a harmonious and happy Guangdong.

About the Guangzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (GZPAFFC)

The GZPAFFC is a division of the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office, which is overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Association's primary duties include the implementation of national foreign affairs-related guidelines and policies, liaising with international non-governmental and economic organizations on behalf of the municipal government, the reception of visiting personnel and delegations from the same, the organization of outbound goodwill delegations, and "[the execution of] other tasks as instructed by the CPC Guangzhou Committee and Guangzhou Municipal Government." More information about the Association can be found on the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office website (www.gzwaishi.gov.cn/Item/3993.aspx).

About Changyuan Village

Located in the west of Zhuanshui Town of Wuhua, a famous hometown of Chinese expatriates, Changyuan Village boasts 124.5 hectares of arable land, 68.9 hectares of which are paddy fields. Covering a mountain area of 134 hectares, Changyuan Village is home to 620 households, with the total population reaching up to 3,125. The villagers earn their livelihoods basically by growing rice locally and laboring as migrant workers outside the village. A preliminary household survey shows that 119 households of the village (627 people) currently live below the poverty line, accounting for 19.2% and 20.1% respectively of the total household number and the total village population. These 627 poverty-stricken villagers are thus designated as the focus of assistance in this new round of poverty-alleviating effort. The village is home to one primary school, namely, Changyuan Primary School, with 310 students and 16 teachers.

About Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation

Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation (GZYDF), a non-governmental and non-profit organization, was founded in Guangzhou in 1994. It is a public fund-raising institution as well as a non-governmental organization and social group. It raises fund in Guangdong Province, collecting donations from organization, individual, legal entity. Since establishment, the foundation aimed at providing service for the youth on individual growth, education, step into society, entertainment & PE, career development, marriage & family, volunteer etc. Sparing no effort of their brand projects, the foundation has helped safe over 800 children in need of immediate life saving surgery, released over 50 million student grant and built over 30 schools and hospitals.

SOURCE The American Chamber of Commerce in South China