Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp Paper Co., Ltd’s Volunteer Association, together with Rizhao Economic-Technological Development Area’s Publicity Department jointly organized an outreach to the elderly living in the Rizhao Development Area on Chong Yang Festival. Chong Yang Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it is also known as the Double Ninth Festival. Since nine is the highest odd digit, having two of them together signifies longevity in Chinese culture. Therefore, the ninth day of the ninth month has become a special day for people to pay their respects to the elderly and a day for the elderly to enjoy themselves. It has also been declared China's Day for the Elderly.

During the outreaches to the various nursing homes in the Rizhao Development Area, the volunteers from the company showed their care and concern for these elderly with no family by visiting and giving them daily necessities such as scarves, gloves, rice, grain and oil.

Senior Manager of Asia Symbol, LI Runming said, “The elderly have made indispensable contributions to the social progress. Though they have retired and gotten on in years, they shouldn’t be forgotten, especially by the young people. We should uphold the traditional Chinese virtue of respecting and caring for the elderly and contribute to improve their wellbeing.”

Since its inception, Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp Paper Co., Ltd has regarded itself as an integral component of the community in which it operates. The company pursues the principles set up by RGE founder and chairman, Sukanto Tanoto -“good for the community, good for the country and good for the company”. Since it regards the three principles as the foundation of starting the business, the essence of building the business and the source of growing the business, the company combines economic profits with social benefits by actively engaging in public welfare programs, including disaster relief, education, poverty alleviation and environment protection.

Translated from an article published in Chinese.