Via USA Today, Apple has become the first US company to donate to China aid efforts following the mass flooding and rainfall in the region since June. The natural disaster has affected over 30 million people in 500 cities; 164 people have been killed in the tragedy.
Although a million dollar donation pales in contrast to Apple’s total business, the donation will significantly help relief efforts in China and Apple is the only American company to offer financial support so far. Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the catastrophe on Chinese social media site Weibo.
On Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, Tim Cook said: ‘Our thoughts are with all those devastated by the flooding along the Yangtze river’. China is quickly becoming Apple’s largest market for revenue with recent iPhone growth largely appropriated to Chinese customer adoption. From USA Today’s report:
Apple has supported many aid efforts in China and other countries over the years. In 2013, Apple donated 50 million yuan to China after disastrous earthquakes. It also regularly hosts fundraising events on iTunes for relief charities such as the Red Cross campaign to aid earthquake relief in Japan a few months ago.
