Yili Nutrition 2020, a project launched by Yili Industrial Group, was praised as a successful way to deal with poverty by the State Council and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences at a press conference for the release of the 2019 Blue Paper on Poverty Alleviation of Chinese Enterprises in Shenzhen on Sept 20. 

The project helps children in poverty-stricken areas by providing them with Yili’s highly nutritious dairy products. 

Yili has invested a total of 52 million yuan ($7.31 million) into the project. Volunteers involved in the project have travelled to about 130 underdeveloped cities and counties across the country and helped over 600,000 children through charitable donations, health education, and in-depth research. 

This is the second time Yili has been recognized for its contributions to poverty alleviation. 

The company has been dedicated to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, such as the “No Poverty” and “Zero Hunger” initiatives, for many years. It is the first dairy company in China to implement the UN’s SDGs. 

Adhering to the philosophy “social value always outweighs commercial wealth”, Yili has been able to make some outstanding achievements in sustainable development. For instance, it is the first Chinese food company to join the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and World Integrated Sharing Health (WISH) system. 

According to Yili, the Yili Nutrition 2020 project will further reduce poverty among infants, orphans, the disabled, the elderly, and those with severe illnesses. It will continue to explore professional assistance mechanisms that can integrate with the health and education industries. 

Important progress has been made in poverty alleviation by Chinese enterprises, the blue paper concluded.  

Yili Nutrition 2020, a project launched by Yili Industrial Group, is praised as a successful way to deal with poverty by the State Council and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences at a press conference for the release of the 2019 Blue Paper on Poverty Alleviation of Chinese Enterprises in Shenzhen on Sept 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

A photo exhibition demonstrating Yili’s efforts in alleviating poverty throughout the years at the 7th China Public Welfare Project Exhibition on Sept 20 [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]