Chinese retail giant Suning to donate 1.3m masks to Italy, Slovenia

NANJING - Chinese retail giant Suning Holdings Group said Thursday that its subsidiaries Suning International and Inter Milan Football Club will donate masks to help Italy and Slovenia fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 1 million face masks will be donated to Italy, and 300,000 masks to Slovenia, according to the group.

Suning International donated 300,000 face masks and other protective gear to Italy last month.

Suning International has collaborated with the Italian Trade Agency in introducing Italian brands and products to the Chinese market. The company has also partnered with Slovenian home appliance giant Gorenje.

Inter Milan donated 100,000 euros to the L. Sacco Hospital in Milan in early March. It has also raised 658,000 euros from fans, club members and foundation, which will be donated to the hospital for vaccine research, the group said.

"During this period of fighting pandemic globally, we hope Chinese experience can help Italy and Slovenia contain the spread of the virus as soon as possible," said Steven Zhang, president of Suning International and chairman of Inter Milan.

He said Suning International will continue to rely on its global supply chain to increase assistance to the two countries, and contribute to the global fight against the pandemic.