Cisco joins in rebuilding efforts with $45 Million

Cisco announces a three-year $45 million (RMB300 million) commitment to helping rebuild in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake that left nearly 5 million people homeless. The memorandum of understanding signed by both Sichuan Governor Jiang Jufeng and Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers was the result of several weeks of meetings between the Cisco team and officials from all levels of the Chinese government to gain a better understanding of the current situation. Corporate Social Responsibility News (CSRWire ) brings us the detailed story here.

"As we witnessed firsthand the unimaginable destruction and spoke with those who have lost so much, it was impossible not to feel an urgency to help in the rebuilding and sustainability efforts," said John Chambers. "Even in the face of such terrible devastation, this clearly is a resilient citizenry and a country that is committed to both rapidly rebuilding as well as looking to the future. It would be an honor to play even a small supporting role in these efforts."

Chambers is currently in China as part of a U.S. Business Roundtable fact-finding delegation with the backing of USAID and the Chinese Government. The $45 million contribution places this high-tech networking company near the top of a long list of foreign contributions from the private sector.

Not that we are keeping track because, as one Shanghaiist reader so eloquently put it, "Charity isn't a 面子 pissing contest."