Rome (People's Daily) - Trip.com Group, a worldwide leading online travel services provider, today announced that 1 million surgical masks are on their way to support the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, as part of a global donation program. Of these, over 100,000 masks were delivered to the Italian diplomatic network.

Led by the company’s co-founder and chairman of the Board James Liang, the initiative has seen the delivery and allocation of surgical mask supplies to South Korea, Japan, the US, Canada, Germany, Serbia, France, UK and Australia.

Trip.com Group donated surgical masks to various countries with words of encouragement. The parcels destined to Italy read Seneca's words: "Our society is very similar to a vault of stones: it would fall if they did not support each other".

Liang says the company hopes that the donation will play a role in bringing countries together in a collective effort to contain the virus. "Many ways to join one journey. Many origins to reach one destiny. Many friends to form one family. Many endeavors to win one victory," said Liang. "It is crucial at this moment in the global fight against the epidemic that all countries come together and support each other, to secure a victory for humanity."

"Going forward, we'll take this challenge in stride, and lead the travel industry to flourish once again," said Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group. "Let's continue to work together, to beat this challenge, and towards an exciting next step for the travel industry."

The move to donate masks is the latest in a series of actions taken by the online travel services provider to minimize the impact of and beat the epidemic. 

Trip.com Group Head of International Affairs Leah Wang (left) presents a donation to Italian Consul General in Shanghai Michele Cecchi (right).

In late January, the company responded to the initial outbreak in China by extending cancellation provisions for customers affected by travel bans and medical conditions. As the situation continues to develop, the company has provided daily updates on travel restrictions via its platforms, and extended the scope of its cancellation policies to include medical workers as well as those unable to travel due to restrictions and infections. The company also led a Safeguard Cancellation Guarantee industry initiative, which brought together hotels and airlines to ensure that its 400 million users worldwide have peace of mind in booking with Trip.com Group platforms.

"We stand with Italy at this challenging time, and hope that today's donation will both provide relief, and encourage nations to work together in overcoming this common hardship," said Leah Wang, Head of International Affairs at Trip.com Group. "In working together, we hope that a victory for humanity is in sight."

"We are moved by this warm and generous gesture, and impressed by your efforts throughout the epidemic. We look forward to working together more closely to welcome our friends in China and across the world to Italy, and hope for a speedy victory for the world in containing the epidemic," said Italian Consul General in Shanghai Michele Cecchi.