Shanghai, 15th May, 2017— The Bank of East Asia (China) Limited (“BEA China”) has today released its “2016 Corporate Social Responsibility Report”, which is its 9th annual CSR report and provides details of progress and achievements with regard to the creative service, public education, employee welfare and charitable activities carried out during 2016 by BEA China.
According to Mr. Cartier Lam Chi-man, Executive Director & Chief Executive of BEA China, “In 2016, although the banking sector faced challenges and difficulties, BEA China still stayed true to the mission, and insisted on doing well in corporate social responsibility and giving back to society. Meanwhile, I am also pleased that our work has been affirmed and encouraged by all walks of life. In the future, we will continue to work with our partners to further expand the bank's corporate social responsibility projects to other areas and benefit more people in need."
The conference was held at Falaigu Primary School, Fengyi Township, Xundian Hui and Yi Autonomous County, Kunming, Yunnan Province. The school is sponsored by the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation - BEA Charity Fund (“the BEA Charity Fund”) “Firefly Project”. After the conference, 14 volunteers from BEA China will also join the teaching programme, sharing interesting knowledge with rural students including how to science, handicraft, painting and other subjects.
BEA Charity Fund integrates quality charity resources and plays a synergistic effect
Over the years, BEA China has used BEA Charity Fund as a platform, to continuously and vigorously promote three core projects -- the Firefly Project, the BEA University Scholarship Programme and the Non-government Organisation ('NGO') Funding Plan. As of the end of 2016, a total of 63 Firefly Centres has been established; more than 38,000 Firefly 60 Backpacks have been donated in continued support for education in rural areas; over 550 class hours have been taught by volunteers; and 681 teachers in rural areas have received training. The NGO Show inaugural event jointly organised by the BEA Charity Fund and China Business News serves to connect NGOs with enterprises that wish to contribute to charitable causes. BEA China brought businesses and NGOs together, for the benefit of all stakeholders. Moreover, the charity banquet raised a record RMB9.1 million in funds, bringing the total amount of money raised by the BEA Charity Fund to RMB61.49 million as at the end of 2016.
Volunteer culture means CSR is part and parcel of BEA China
Volunteers actively engaged in voluntary activities such as the green office, "Earth Hour", and projects caring for children with special needs. In 2016, 1,126 volunteers participated in charity campaigns, contributing a total of 6,180 hours. The “Firefly Project” volunteer teaching programme was also launched at the conference and is an object of keen interest for BEA staff. Mr. Cartier Lam Chi-man, Executive Director & Chief Executive of BEA China, also participated in the teaching programme in Kunming and gave the children an interesting class about Hong Kong culture.
