AppleInsider Staff
In response to a powerful earthquake in the city of Ya'an, China, Apple has pledged $8 million to aid in recovery from the disaster.
The company updated its website in China on Monday with a note acknowledging the quake, which occurred in the Sichuan province. A machine translation reveals that the note tells visitors that Apple officials offer their "deepest condolences" over the disaster.
The company also separately issued a press release in which it revealed it would donate $8 million U.S. to the victims. The company's full statement follows:
In this difficult time, our hearts are with the victims of the Sichuan earthquake closely linked in addition to the form of cash donations to help the affected people to tide over their difficulties, we are also committed to the new Apple device as part of the disaster area schools, Apple employees at any time in the local stand-by to help.
The Ya'an earthquake occurred on Saturday, with the epicenter in Lushan County, which is about 72 miles from Chengdu. The quake had a magnitude of 7.0.
So far, 186 people are confirmed dead, with more than 10,000 injured.
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38 Comments
One way to buy goodwill with the Chinese I guess.
WS spin: iDevice sales struggling prompting Apple to bribe the Chinese with goodwill.
This is only going to get far worse in the future.
I expect a lot of apologies and bowing from Apple to the authoritarian Chinese govt in the years ahead, as Apple tries to make inroads into that place.
God, I hope SOME of it gets through to the victims...
They had better be careful. They are going to be held liable for ANY and ALL actions that come from the use of their donated money. I can see the headlines now, "Apple sued by Chinese earthquake victims due to ....insert ridiculous reason here"