Overseas firms learn lesson of "Do as the Chinese do"

Source: Xinhua | 06-12-2008 12:44

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Recently, Anglo American Group, one of the world's largest miners, published a short message to declare a donation of 10 million yuan (about 1.43 million U.S. dollars) for earthquake relief on the official website of its Beijing Office.

No press conference. No news release. Even without notice to any Chinese media, the international company has kept a very low profile, as always, on the matter of the earthquake donation.

"Our CEO has told us not to tell the media," said Tina Meng, the company's liaison official. "We just want to do something for the affected people, particularly the poor school children in the quake-hit Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture."

Similar to the Anglo American Group, the world's chemical industry leader BASF has also failed to inform the public of its donations of over 5 million yuan, made two days after the May 12 earthquake. What's more, the company has encouraged its staff to support the relief efforts in various forms, according to Tanya Tian, a public relations official for BASF China.

As a result, these two silent donors had been dismissed from the unofficial "International Misers Ranking" of overseas companies donating funds or materials to help the country's earthquake relief efforts.

Fortunately, Chinese netizens, mostly young, did not take notice of these two giants of the chemical and mineral industries. Instead, they condemned and called for boycotting some so-called "International Misers".

This time, the Chinese government has stood out to defend the international companies. Earlier, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming denounced the on-line unofficial "International Misers Ranking," saying many of these international firms had made huge donations. Later, the ministry published its official ranking of international firms in earthquake donation on its website.

As of June 4, donations from overseas-funded companies had topped 3.6 billion yuan. To date, the amount of donations from domestic and overseas donors had totaled 43.8 billion yuan, according to the official.

"Foreign companies should 'Do as the Chinese do' in their public relations strategy," commented a local expert who declined to be named. "In China, one must do and speak at the same time. Otherwise, one may fail to show himself up in a correct way."

Since May 12, many Chinese companies have declared their donations at large public gatherings or to the media. Wang Lao Ji, a domestic soft drink, became one of the most popular Chinese brands almost overnight, after the company announced a 100 million yuan donation. Some people even claimed on line that they will buy up every can of Wang Lao Ji sweet tea whenever they come up with it in a store.

These days, almost every Chinese mobile user, including Minister Chen, has received short messages encouraging people to boycott the "International Misers".

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has been cool-headed and distanced itself from those who had forced others to donate. "We must respect the rights of all individuals and companies," said the minister. Chen blamed some people calling for a boycotting of the "International Misers," say it was irrational to do so.

Editor:Xiong Qu